Pakistan Captain Mohammad Rizwan and New Zealand Captain Mitchell Santner Share Their Thoughts Ahead of the Match
Pakistan cricket team captain Mohammad Rizwan emphasized the need to outperform New Zealand to secure a victory. He stated, “To win, we need to play better than New Zealand. Babar Azam is our best player, and he will open the innings.”
Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner expressed optimism about his team’s chances. He said, “We are hopeful for a victory in the match. Our aim is to set a big target against the host team, Pakistan, and put them under pressure.”
The Pakistan cricket team for the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 includes Captain Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed.
It is noteworthy that Pakistan is hosting an ICC event after 29 years. All teams have undergone rigorous preparation for the mega tournament, with each side battling to claim the prestigious Champions Trophy title.
For this ICC event, Pakistan’s three stadiums have undergone extensive upgrades, transforming into world-class venues. Now, it is up to the players to seize the trophy and meet the expectations of their passionate home crowd. The Green Shirts not only aim to defend their Champions Trophy title but also strive to make their fans proud on home soil.