Key points
- Mitchell Santner will lead New Zealand
- New Zealand will play their opening match against Pakistan
- Pakistan will host ICC Champions Trophy
ISLAMABAD: New Zealand have announced their 15-member squad that’s all set to compete at the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, with their opening match set against hosts Pakistan on 19 February.
According to the ICC website, this will be the first major ICC tournament leading the side for new white-ball skipper Mitchell Santner, after a successful stint in the ODI and T20I series at home against Sri Lanka.
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The pace trio of Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears, and Nathan Smith all feature in the squad, and are set to play their maiden senior ICC event, according to ICC.
New Zealand’s group stage matches
19 February – Pakistan vs New Zealand, Karachi
24 February – Bangladesh vs New Zealand, Rawalpindi
2 March – India vs New Zealand, Dubai
Skipper Santner is the frontline spin option, leading all-rounders Michael Bracewell, Glenn Phillips, and Rachin Ravindra all playing support.
Senior players Tom Latham and Kane Williamson lend valuable experience to the side, with the latter set to take the wicketkeeping gloves for the event.
Santner, Williamson, and Latham were all part of New Zealand’s squad for the last edition of the Champions Trophy in England and Wales in 2017. Williamson featured at the 2013 edition in England.
Matt Henry will spearhead the pace bowling attack alongside veteran Lockie Ferguson, who is set to play his 5th ICC event having played a key role in the last two ICC ODI and T20I World Cups.
Jacob Duffy could also feature in the squad – he is named as a reserve player – should Lockie Ferguson become unavailable because of franchise cricket commitments.
New Zealand squad
Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young.