New Zealand Playing 11 vs Pakistan

New Zealand will be facing Pakistan in the first game of the ODI tri-series. South Africa are also participating in the competition. Each team will play against the other two teams just once and the team with the most points will qualify for the final.

With each team to play only two games, there is very little room for any slipup. New Zealand will be looking to start their campaign with a win and bolster their chances of qualifying for the final. The match is scheduled to be played on Saturday (February 8) at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

New Zealand have played 5 ODIs in Lahore so far and have lost all of them. The Black Caps will be desperate to win the upcoming game to end their winless run at the venue. So as New Zealand gear up for the game against Pakistan, we are taking a look at the New Zealand 11 for the upcoming contest.

New Zealand Playing 11 vs Pakistan – 1st ODI, Pakistan ODI tri-series 2025:

Openers: Will Young/Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra

New Zealand team management would have to make a big call while finalizing the opening pair for the upcoming game. While Rachin Ravindra is likely to be the first-choice opener in the New Zealand Playing 11, there are two players in contention for the second opener’s spot – Will Young and Devon Conway.

Young opened the innings against Sri Lanka at home last month and played a fine 90-run knock in the first game. On the other hand, Conway has proven himself as one of the better white-ball openers in the world and has also played ample cricket in the subcontinent thanks to the IPL.

Middle-order batsmen and allrounders: Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c)

The onus to lead the charge with the bat for New Zealand will be on their former captain Kane Williamson. No batter from New Zealand has scored more ODI runs against Pakistan than Williamson and he will be keen to score big against the Men in Green once again.

The other batting options in the New Zealand Playing 11 will be Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham. Mitchell recently looked in good touch in Super Smash, scoring 67, 20, and 46 in his last three outings, and will be backing himself to impress against Pakistan.

Latham did not impress with the bat against Sri Lanka, getting out for 1 and 0, and will be looking to bounce back. As far as allrounders in New Zealand Playing 11 are concerned, the Black Caps are likely to have the likes of Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, and their captain Mitchell Santner in their lineup.

Phillips is a reliable middle-order batsman and is a handy spinner as well. Bracewell can also play some big shots towards the end in addition to being a spinner. On the other hand, Santner will be leading his team’s spin attack and he is also no dud with the bat.

Bowlers: Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson

With ample spin options in the form of Santner, Bracewell, and Phillips, New Zealand are likely to have three frontline pacers in the New Zealand Playing 11. Matt Henry Jacob Duffy and Lockie Ferguson are likely to be the specialist pacers in the New Zealand Playing 11.