3 Pakistan Players Who Can Thrash New Zealand In Champions Trophy Opener

3 match winners for Pakistan [Source: AP Photo]

The wait is over and after months of buildup, the Champions Trophy 2025 is just around the corner as the mega event is set to begin from Wednesday, February 19 from the National Stadium in Karachi. The tournament opener will have Pakistan up against the dangerous New Zealand team.

The Kiwis recently thrashed the hosts, Pakistan in the tri-nation series, and interestingly they defeated them twice in the same competition and will have the upper hand heading into the Champions Trophy clash.

Despite the tournament taking place in their own backyard, Pakistan will enter the first match as the underdogs, however, they do have 3 big match-winners who can defeat the Kiwis single handedly, and here are those 3 players.

1) Salman Ali Agha

Salman Agha stats in tri-series

The man in form for the Pakistan side, Salman Ali Agha has been in stupendous form heading into the Champions Trophy and could cause trouble to the Kiwis with his batting. He recently scored a terrific hundred against the South African team in the tri-nation series and will be the key player in the middle order.

Pakistan's top-order is shaky, and to cover that up, they need a reliable batter in the middle-order, someone who has a great mixture of attack and defense, which Salman Agha possesses.

2) Mohammad Rizwan

Rizwan stats in tri-series

The crisis man for Pakistan, whenever the team is in a dire situation, Mohammad Rizwan always comes to the rescue of the team. Just like Salman Agha, he, too, slammed a century against the Proteas in the tri-series and rescued his team from a precarious situation.

He did a same rescue act against Sri Lanka in the 2023 World Cup and whenever Pakistan fell in deep trouble, Rizwan stands tall, something which could be expected in the upcoming match Vs the Kiwis.

3) Shaheen Afridi

Shaheen Afridi ODI stats Vs NZ

The leader of the bowling attack in Haris Rauf's absence, Shaheen Afridi will have loads of responsibilities on his shoulders. He has an impeccable track record against New Zealand, picking up 24 wickets in 11 ODIs, at an average of 22.87.

The numbers don't lie, he is brilliant against the Kiwis and will hold the key on Wednesday as well.

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