- AFP
- 38 Minutes ago
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Haris Rauf likely to play Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand
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- Web Desk
- Feb 19, 2025
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KARACHI: Pakistan is likely to make one change in their playing XI, with pacer Haris Rauf expected to replace all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opening match against New Zealand.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to kick off Wednesday in Karachi, with Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the opening match at the National Stadium.
Haris Rauf, who suffered an injury during the recent tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand, has now fully recovered and ready to play the opening match.
Pakistan vs NZ Champions Trophy 2025: everything to know
Pakistan’s probable playing XI includes Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Abrar.
Meanwhile, New Zealand has suffered a setback with fast bowler Lockie Ferguson ruled out of the tournament due to a foot injury sustained during a warm-up match.
The tournament will feature matches in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Dubai, with India playing all their fixtures in Dubai.
A grand opening ceremony will take place before the match, including a flypast by the Pakistan Air Force to mark the historic occasion.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan said the Champions Trophy would be a “historic occasion” for the country, a day before the hosts kick the tournament off against New Zealand.
Recap of all Champions Trophy warm up matches
The Champions Trophy is the first major cricket event hosted by Pakistan in nearly three decades and is regarded as second only to the World Cup in the one-day game.
“A global event has come to Pakistan after 29 years so I think the whole nation should enjoy this historic occasion,” Rizwan told a news conference on the eve of the tournament, which runs until March 9.
“Pakistan has suffered enough and for a long time, but we have also won during this phase like the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup,” Rizwan said.
Still, the build-up has not been without problems after neighbours and arch-rivals India refused to play in Pakistan over long-standing political tensions. India will instead play their matches in Dubai.
Pakistan’s opponents in the tournament opener in Karachi beat them twice this month during a tri-series event that included South Africa.
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