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Haris Rauf Returns As Rizwan Puts NZ To Bat First In Champions Trophy 2025 Opener

Rajgeeta Yadav

Pakistan vs New Zealand [Source: AP Photos]Pakistan vs New Zealand [Source: AP Photos]

The wait is finally over! The Champions Trophy is back after eight long years, and cricket fans couldn’t be more excited. The first match of this prestigious tournament is happening today, February 19, at the National Stadium in Karachi. It's a thrilling showdown between Pakistan and New Zealand.

The toss is always a crucial moment in any cricket match, and today, luck was on Pakistan’s side. Captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and chose to bowl first. With home advantage and a strong bowling lineup, Pakistan will be looking to restrict Kiwis.

Notably, Pakistan's Haris Rauf is fully fit, while New Zealand will be missing their opener, Rachin Ravindra.

During the toss, Rizwan revealed the reason to field first, he stated,

"We are going to have a bowl first. There has been a dew factor that has affected the game in the last couple of matches. So, we want to maximise the dew factor.We are the defending champions of this tournament. So, there will be a bit of pressure on us, but if we think of ourselves as defending champions, we will only put ourselves under pressure. We want to keep it relaxed. We will treat it just like the previous Tri-Series. Playing here in Pakistan is great."

Mitchell Santner, however, also revealed that New Zealand wanted to bowl first, 

"There is some dew around. It may get better to bat later on but we have to bat well. The wicket looks good. It's a good experience. We have new faces and the boys are playing good cricket. We all are ready to go."

PAK Vs NZ: Playing XI's

New Zealand Playing XI : Devon Conway (wk), Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, William O'Rourke

Pakistan Playing XI: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c and wk), Agha Salman, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed