Pakistan will take on New Zealand in the first match of the ICC Champions Trophy at the National Stadium in Karachi. The hosts would be eyeing a winning start, but New Zealand defeated them twice in the tri-series so the match won't be a cakewalk. Pakistan have many worries heading into the tournament. The form of batters, including Babar Azam hasn't been great. Over the years, Pakistan have relied on their pace battery for success but the current form of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah has been shaky. Also, there are fitness concerns about Haris Rauf.

Meanwhile, New Zealand won the tri-series in Pakistan before the Champions Trophy and their confidence will be sky high. The team has consistently done well in ICC events and would look to continue the trend, this time going the distance and winning the trophy.

Pakistan vs New Zealand, Match 1, Dream 11 Prediction

Fakhar Zaman, Devon Conway (c), Kane Williamson, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell (vc), Shaheen Afridi, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Haris Rauf

Pakistan vs New Zealand Pitch Report

The surface at the National Stadium in Karachi is a belter. There is very little help on offer for the bowlers and bowling in the right areas is the only way to success for bowlers. The match promises to be a high-scoring game.

Pakistan vs New Zealand Head To Head In Champions Trophy

New Zealand have dominated Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy, winning all the three matches they played against the Men in Green.

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam/Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf

New Zealand: Will Young/Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Nathan Smith/Jacob Duffy, Will O'Rourke

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