Champions Trophy 2025: PAK vs NZ Head to Head, Player Stats and Ground Pitch Report

Pakistan vs New Zealand Head to Head in ODI History

The defending champions hold a slender lead over their opponents in the overall PAK vs NZ head-to-head record. They have won 61 of the 118 games the two sides have played in the One-Day format. However, New Zealand have started to bounce back from their poor record. In the last four games between the two sides, Pakistan has won only once via the DLS method during the ODI World Cup in 2023. The Champions Trophy can be a cut-throat competition which means that no team can afford any slip-ups. With strong favorites, India in their group, both Pakistan and New Zealand would be wary of their challenges to qualify for the knockout stage in the competition. 

Check out: PAK vs NZ Match Prediction 2025

PAK vs NZ Head to Head in Champions Trophy

New Zealand have a strong grip over their opponents in the Champions Trophy. The PAK vs NZ head-to-head record at the ICC tournament shows a sorry state of affairs for the hosts. In three games that the two nations have played against each other in CT, New Zealand has emerged victorious on every occasion. The last time the two nations met in the tournament was in 2009 in the semi-final at Johannesburg. The Kiwis won the game by five wickets while chasing a target of 234 runs. 

PAK vs NZ Head to Head Records at National Stadium, Karachi

In spite of being a home venue, Pakistan has been on the losing side five times when they have played New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. The PAK vs NZ head-to-head record at the National Stadium can be an important factor that both sides would look at before heading into the game. For the defending champions starting their CT 2025 campaign against an opponent that has had the stick over you at the venue can be a tricky affair. At the same time, New Zealand would attempt to extend their 5-4 lead over their opponents at the National Stadium. 

National Stadium, Karachi ODI Stats

Naturally, most of the records at the National Stadium in Karachi are held by Pakistani players. Former batter, Mohammad Yousuf has scored the most runs at the venue. Yousuf scored 817 runs at the stadium. Legendary left-arm pacer, Wasim Akram took 23 wickets at the venue which is the most by any bowler. Among current players, these records are held by Babar Azam (509 runs) and Naseem Shah (13 wickets).

National Stadium, Karachi Pitch Report

There have been 56 ODIs at the National Stadium in Karachi. The stadium boasts an almost equal record when it comes to matches won while batting first or second. Since the start of 2023, the stadium has hosted eight matches. Teams have won four times each while either defending a total or chasing a target. Interestingly, among these eight games, seven have been played by New Zealand. So there is a very good chance that the Kiwis would be as prepared as the hosts would be.

Pakistan vs New Zealand Player Stats

Kane Williamson holds the record for scoring the most runs in Pakistan vs New Zealand ODI matches. The right-handed Kiwi batter has scored 1,290 runs in the fixture. He will be again one of the most important players in the upcoming PAK vs NZ head-to-head fixture at the Champions Trophy 2025. For Pakistan, Fakhar Zaman has been unarguably the best batter when it comes to facing New Zealand in ODIs. The left-handed opening batter holds the record for scoring the most hundreds as well as the highest individual score. 

With the ball in hand, Matt Henry has taken 31 wickets in 15 PAK vs NZ matches which is the most among active cricketers. For Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi has taken the most wickets among active bowlers. The left-arm pacer has taken 24 wickets in 11 games.

Also read: International Masters League IML 2025 Points Table

Pakistan vs New Zealand X-Factor

The PAK vs NZ head-to-head record could change on the back of the performance of some key players. As the two teams meet for the tournament opener at the National Stadium in Karachi a few players would carry the extra responsibility to win the game for their respective team. Even though cricket is a team sport, the brilliance of a few players can help paper over the cracks of the rest of the team. Here is a look at some key players from both teams.

Fakhar Zaman

Fakhar Zaman could very well be Pakistan’s best batter in the upcoming clash against New Zealand. The left-handed batter played an important role in helping Pakistan to win the title in 2017. He scored 252 runs in four games which included a match-winning century against India in the finals. Since the start of 2023, Zaman has been in incredible form. During this time period, he played 23 games and scored almost 1000 runs. He averages 50 and has struck at a rate of 95.87. Against New Zealand, Zaman has scored 1,053 runs at an average of 65.8 with a strike rate of 96.

Salman Agha

Salman Agha would have to play a big role if Pakistan goes on to have any success in the upcoming Champions Trophy. Not only he is one of the few in-form players, but the all-rounder would provide a much-needed balance to the Pakistani side. Since the start of 2023, he has played 30 games and scored 814 runs which included a maiden century in 2025. However, he has been an underperforming player with the ball in hand. In 22 bowling innings, Salman has managed to pick only 16 wickets. Against New Zealand, his stats both as a batter and a bowler are worse than his career stats. 

Shaheen Afridi

Shaheen Afridi is unarguably the leader of the Pakistani bowling attack. For the hosts to have any success in the tournament, Afridi would need to provide consistent wickets in the powerplay. Throughout his career, the 24-year-old has had the responsibility to be the wicket-taker for Pakistan in the format. However, his most protent weapon of picking wickets with the new ball has misfired in the couple of years. Since the start of 2023, Afridi has picked up 63 wickets in 30 games at an average of 23.38. In this period he averages better than his career average but most of these wickets have come in the death overs where the wickets fail to make the same impact as they do in the first 10 overs.

Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson is the greatest batter in the history of New Zealand cricket. The right-handed batter holds the record for scoring the most runs in Pakistan vs New Zealand matches. Recently, he has been in great form and even became the second-fastest to score 7000 runs in ODIs. Even though Williamson has played a very limited number of ODIs in the last few years, he still is the mosy important player for the Kiwis. In his last 10 games, the 34-year-old has scored 645 runs at an average of more than 80. In a short tournament, Kane’s consistency could by vital for New Zealand to go the distance.

Mitchell Santner

New Zealand skipper, Mitchell Santner is one the many all-rounders for New Zealand. The bowling all-rounder has been in great form since 2023. He has picked 30 wickets in last 25 bowling innings. However, what makes him stand apart from the rest of the bowlers is his economy. Since the start of 2023, he has bowled more than 220 overs at an economy of 4.76 runs per over. His ability to bowl cheap spells will him invaluable, especially in pitches in Pakistan where the trend of run-scoring has been pretty high. With the bat in hand, Santner is not a consistent run-scorer but can play a match-winning came while batting in the lower order.

Matt Henry

Matt Henry is one the most underrated pacers currently. His career has often been hindered with regular injuries. In 2025, the right-arm pacer has played five games and has taken 14 wickets. Even though the sample size is small, Henry’s average of 14.64 in the calendar year makes him an important player. Given that there is no Tim Southee or Trent Boult, the responsibilities of leading the bowling attack will fall on his shoulders. Bowling with the new ball, Henry could be a dangerous bowler if there is any swing or seam on offer.