PAK vs NZ Final Match Prediction – Who Will Come Out on Top?

Published on: February 14, 2025

Today’s PAK vs NZ Final Match Prediction – Who Will Come Out on Top?

PAK vs NZ Final: Prediction, Analysis, and Key Details

Pakistan and New Zealand are set to face off in the final match of the Pakistan Tri-Nation Series on Friday, February 14, 2025, at the National Stadium in Karachi. The clash is expected to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams showing strong form throughout the tournament. This match is crucial as it offers a chance for both teams to gain confidence ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy, set to begin shortly after the final.

Background: A Tale of Two Teams

Pakistan’s Journey to the Final

Pakistan, led by Mohammad Rizwan, entered the Tri-Nation Series with hopes of gaining valuable experience and momentum before the Champions Trophy. However, the beginning of the series was far from ideal for the Men in Green. In their first match against New Zealand, Pakistan suffered a heavy defeat, losing by 78 runs. The Kiwis posted a challenging total, and despite a solid start, Pakistan fell short of the target.

But Pakistan quickly regrouped and bounced back in their next match. In the third ODI against South Africa, Pakistan showed remarkable resilience. After a challenging start in the field, where the bowlers struggled against South Africa’s batsmen, the hosts were tasked with chasing down a formidable target of 352 runs. However, the Men in Green produced a stunning batting display, led by a brilliant 260-run partnership between Mohammad Rizwan (122*) and Salman Agha (134). Pakistan comfortably chased down the target with six wickets and an over to spare, sending a clear message of their capabilities in this format.

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PAK vs NZ Final: Prediction, Analysis, and Key Details
Background: A Tale of Two Teams
Predicted Playing XI

New Zealand’s Consistent Excellence

On the other hand, New Zealand, under the captaincy of Mitchell Santner, has been in excellent form throughout the Tri-Nation Series. The Black Caps started with an impressive victory over Pakistan, winning by 78 runs, and then followed it up with another clinical performance against South Africa, defeating them by six wickets. Their ability to adapt to different match situations and chase targets with ease has been a hallmark of their success.

New Zealand’s top-order batsmen, including Kane Williamson and Devon Conway, have been in excellent touch, while their bowlers, spearheaded by Matt Henry and Mitchell Santner, have consistently delivered strong performances. With the Champions Trophy just around the corner, New Zealand is keen to continue their winning ways and carry their form into the prestigious tournament.

Match Details

• Match: Pakistan vs New Zealand, Final, Tri-Nation Series 2025
• Venue: National Stadium, Karachi
• Date & Time: Friday, February 14, 2025, 2:30 PM IST
• Live Broadcast and Streaming: Sports18/Star Sports Network, Disney+ Hotstar (app & website)

Pitch Report

The National Stadium in Karachi is known for offering favorable batting conditions, especially during the later stages of a match. The pitch here is typically flat, which provides an excellent platform for batsmen to play their shots freely. Fast bowlers may find some movement early on, especially in the initial overs, but as the match progresses, the conditions will favor the batsmen.

Spinners might find some assistance as the ball ages, but a significant amount of turn is unlikely. The captains winning the toss may prefer to bat first, knowing that setting a big target will put pressure on the chasing team. The weather conditions in Karachi are usually warm, with the humidity levels being moderate, so the players can expect a good contest in this iconic venue.

Head-to-Head Record

Both teams have a rich history of competitive encounters. Here’s a breakdown of their head-to-head record in ODIs:
• Matches Played: 117
• Won by Pakistan: 61
• Won by New Zealand: 52
• Tied: 01
• No Result: 03
• First-ever Fixture: February 11, 1973
• Most Recent Fixture: February 8, 2025

As evident from the statistics, Pakistan holds a slight edge in the overall head-to-head record, but New Zealand has been in dominant form recently.
This contest promises to be closely contested, with both teams having their own strengths and weaknesses.

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Predicted Playing XI

Pakistan (PAK)

1. Fakhar Zaman – Left-handed opening batter with the ability to play aggressive innings.
2. Babar Azam – Pakistan’s captain and a top-order mainstay; his consistency is crucial for Pakistan’s success.
3. Saud Shakeel – Middle-order batsman with good technique and temperament.
4. Mohammad Rizwan (wk/c) – Captain and wicketkeeper, Rizwan has been in exceptional form and will be pivotal for Pakistan.
5. Salman Agha – Key middle-order batsman; his match-winning partnership in the previous game was crucial.
6. Tayyab Tahir – A promising batsman who could provide stability in the middle overs.
7. Khushdil Shah – All-rounder capable of explosive batting and providing useful overs with the ball.
8. Shaheen Afridi – Left-arm fast bowler, Pakistan’s star pacer with a knack for picking key wickets.
9. Mohammad Hasnain – Fast bowler known for his pace and wicket-taking ability.
10. Naseem Shah – Another talented pacer who can generate significant pace and swing.
11. Abrar Ahmed – Leg-spinner with the potential to provide breakthroughs in the middle overs.

New Zealand (NZ)

1. Will Young – Solid opening batsman who can anchor the innings.
2. Devon Conway – Top-order batter with excellent stroke play and consistency.
3. Kane Williamson – One of the best in the business, Williamson’s calm and composed batting will be key.
4. Daryl Mitchell – All-rounder, capable of both batting and bowling, and will play an important role.
5. Tom Latham (wk) – Wicketkeeper-batter, an experienced campaigner who can stabilize the innings.
6. Glenn Phillips – Explosive middle-order batsman, known for his aggressive hitting.
7. Michael Bracewell – All-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball.
8. Mitchell Santner (c) – Left-arm spinner and captain, a key player in both batting and bowling.
9. Matt Henry – Fast bowler, a key pacer for New Zealand, capable of troubling the top order.
10. Ben Sears – Right-arm fast bowler who can generate pace and bounce.
11. William O’Rourke – All-rounder who offers both batting depth and bowling options.

Key Players to Watch

Kane Williamson (New Zealand)

Williamson has been in excellent form during the series, scoring 191 runs in two matches. He has been instrumental in New Zealand’s success, particularly with his match-winning 133* in the second match. As the captain and one of the best batsmen in the world, Williamson’s ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed will be crucial for New Zealand’s success.

Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)

Shaheen Afridi has been Pakistan’s star pacer throughout the series, with five wickets in two matches. Despite conceding runs at times, his ability to strike crucial blows and break partnerships makes him a key player for Pakistan. Afridi will be expected to lead the bowling attack and provide key breakthroughs, particularly against New Zealand’s top order.

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Match Prediction: Who Will Win?

The final match is expected to be a thrilling contest between two evenly matched teams. Both Pakistan and New Zealand have their strengths, but the team that adapts better to the conditions and executes their game plan effectively will emerge victorious.

Scenario 1: Pakistan Wins the Toss and Opts to Bat
• Powerplay: 40-50 runs
• PAK’s Total: 340-350 runs
• Pakistan Wins: If Pakistan sets a target of around 340-350 runs, their strong batting lineup, led by Rizwan and Agha, will put significant pressure on New Zealand. With Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah bowling in the second innings, they could restrict New Zealand’s chase.

Scenario 2: New Zealand Wins the Toss and Opts to Bat
• Powerplay: 50-60 runs
• NZ’s Total: 350-360 runs
• New Zealand Wins: If New Zealand sets a target of around 350-360, their top-order batters, especially Williamson and Conway, could put Pakistan under pressure. With a strong bowling attack, including Matt Henry and Mitchell Santner, New Zealand could defend the target successfully.

Conclusion

Based on current form, both teams have the potential to win the final. However, Pakistan’s superior batting depth and home advantage give them a slight edge. That being said, New Zealand’s consistency and strong bowling attack make them formidable opponents. The team that handles the pressure better and adapts to the conditions in Karachi is most likely to emerge victorious in this highly anticipated final.

Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the analysis of current form, statistics, and player performances. It is advised to take into account your own understanding of the game before making any decisions.