New Zealand come into the Champions Trophy 2025 with their heads held high and with a positive energy engulfing them. Just ahead of the tournament, the Kiwis defeated Pakistan and South Africa in a Tri-Series hosted by Pakistan.
The Kiwis beat hosts Pakistan by 5 wickets and bagged the honours of this Tri-Series in Pakistan. Undoubtedly, a strong side, New Zealand have excelled in foreign conditions as well and that makes them a really strong and a formidable side.
New Zealand lock horns with Pakistan on 19th February 2025 as they kickstart proceedings in the Champions Trophy 2025 at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.
In this article, we take a look at the strongest playing XI of New Zealand in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025:
Openers: Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra
New Zealand have a formidable opening combination in the form of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra. The duo has the ability to smear the bowlers all across the park and also possess the ability to play a big knock in 50-over cricket.
Rachin Ravindra had scored 578 runs in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 and had finished as the highest run-getter for New Zealand.
Top-Order: Kane Williamson, Tom Latham and Daryll Mitchel
The bedrock of the Kiwis, Kane Williamson, is a contemporary great and a lot of responsibility will be on him in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Daryll Mitchell can up the scoring ante and can play some top-quality knocks in Pakistan and UAE.
Mitchell has an average of 53.60 against Pakistan and he will be a vital cog alongside Tom Latham in the batting department for New Zealand.
Middle-Order: Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell
Glenn Phillips had scored 154 runs in the Tri-Series ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 and he had a strike-rate of 125.20. Michael Bracewell and contribute with both the ball and the bat and he will be another vital cog to watch out for.
Bowlers: Mitchell Santner, William O’Rourkee, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry
Skipper Mitchell Santner is a fantastic all-rounder and he will be one of the key players to watch out for in the New Zealand squad. Santner took 5 wickets in the Tri-Series.
The pacers of New Zealand have tremendous abilities under their belt and would be looking to maximize the pressure on the batters. William O’Rourkee bagged 6 wickets in the Tri-Series and finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker. Matt Henry bagged 5 wickets in 2 games in this Tri-Series.
Strongest Playing XI of New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025
Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Daryll Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, William O’Rourkee, Matt Henry, Lickie Ferguson
