National Stadium Karachi Pitch Report For PAK vs NZ Champions Trophy 2025 Match

Debashis Sarangi

National Stadium, Karachi [Source: AP]National Stadium, Karachi [Source: AP]

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On Wednesday, Pakistan will cross swords against New Zealand in the first match of the ICC Champions Trophy. The much-awaited clash is scheduled at the recently renovated National Stadium in Karachi. 

Led by Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan have been impressive in ODIs of late, managing eight wins in twelve matches since 2024. However, New Zealand recently defeated them twice in the Tri-Series, which is why this could be a cracking encounter. 

Ahead of the high-voltage face-off, let's see how the surface at the National Stadium in Karachi will behave throughout the contest. 

National Stadium Karachi Stats And Records In ODIs

Criterion
Data
Matches played78
Matches won batting 1st36
Matches won bowling 1st39
Average 1st innings score239
Average 2nd innings score205


National Stadium Karachi Pitch Report: Is It Batting Or Bowling Friendly?

The surface at the National Stadium in Karachi generally favours the batters. There won't likely be significant seam movement for the new ball bowlers, while the batters will enjoy the track's pace and bounce to score runs. 

However, the spinners might get some turn off the pitch in Karachi. Having said that, the track won't likely change much in the second half of the innings. Considering it's the first match of the tournament and the chasing sides have won more games at this venue, the toss-winner might bowl first despite the humid conditions. 

Players To Watch Out For At National Stadium Karachi

Fakhar Zaman

  • Explosive Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has an amazing ODI record against New Zealand, scoring 1053 runs at an average of 65.81 and a blistering strike rate of 95.90.  

Daryl Mitchell

  • New Zealand's middle-order batter Daryl Mitchell could be a game-changer, thanks to his incredible batting ability against pace and spin. Mitchell has struck 536 runs at an average of 53.06 and a strike rate of 95.04 in ten ODIs vs Pakistan. 

Michael Bracewell

  • Michael Bracewell was magnificent with the ball in the ODI Tri-Series, scalping five wickets in three innings. Apart from striking at crucial junctures, Bracewell can be handy with lower-order hitting as a finisher. 

P.S: Apart from these players, the eyes will be on Glenn Phillips, Kane Williamson, Matt Henry, Agha Salman, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan.