Champions Trophy Weaves big over Pakistan -New Zealand Clash – Sport

On By Littum

The rival’s captains Mohammad Rizwan and Mitchell Santner said Friday that Pakistan and New Zealand’s weekend breakdown in a tri-nation series will be a dressing test for their Champions Trophy Showdown.

Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa play a warm-up series that ends on February 14, before the eight-team Champions Trophy starts five days later.

“We have the best choice of players, so it’s an important series and the best preparation for the bigger event, Champions Trophy,” Pakistan skipper Rizwan told journalists ahead of Saturday’s Lahore match.

Defense Master Pakistan has suffered a bad record in all formats of cricket in recent years, but their performance has reversed something recently.

They hope to continue a winning momentum since Rizwan took the reins in November, and they won their first series in Australia for more than two decades by a 2-1 margin.

They also beat Zimbabwe and applied the first ever white wash in South Africa in December.

Santner, who took over New Zealand’s captain with whiteball last year, said the Champions Trophy would be “on the back of the mind” of his players on Saturday.

Pakistan and New Zealand will also play the opening match for Champions Trophy in Karachi and kick a tournament due to the end of March 9.

“I think it’s good prep for us as we play a game against Pakistan under similar conditions as probably what we want to meet in Karachi,” Santner said.

The visitor skipper said his team “has got a good fast bowling stock that is raring for”, including Veteran Pacers Tim Southee and Trent Boult, as well as newcomers.

Boult and Southee share 432 ODI -WICKETS between them and last played ODDs for New Zealand in the 2023 World Cup, held in India.

The current team has Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke, Matt Henry and Nathan Smith with extra front line Pacer Lockie Ferguson, who is recovering from an injury and unlikely to play on Saturday.

New Zealand takes over South Africa in the second match, also in Lahore, Monday, before the hosts play South Africa in Karachi on February 12 with a final staged two days later.