PAK vs NZ 2025: Series Recap and Highlights
Cricket’s perennial underdogs, New Zealand, and the mercurial Pakistan delivered a rollercoaster T20I series in January 2025, ending 2-2 after a rain-abandoned finale in Lahore. With both teams fine-tuning squads for the 2026 T20 World Cup, here’s a breakdown of the action and what’s next in their rivalry.
T20I Series: Edge-of-the-Seat Drama
1st T20I (Karachi):
- NZ 192/6 (Ravindra 78*, Southee 3/28) beat PAK 188/9 (Rizwan 65) by 4 runs.
- Key Moment: Shaheen Afridi’s last-over 19 runs fell short despite Iftikhar Ahmed’s 22* off 7.
2nd T20I (Rawalpindi):
- PAK 209/5 (Babar 101* off 54) crushed NZ 140 (Shadab 4/20) by 69 runs.
- Stat Alert: Babar’s 10th T20I ton tied him with Rohit Sharma for most centuries.
3rd T20I (Multan):
- NZ 175/7 (Conway 49) lost to PAK 176/4 (Fakhar 81*) by 6 wickets.
- Fakhar Zaman’s 35-ball blitz sealed a chase with 12 balls to spare.
4th T20I (Lahore):
- No Result (Rain interrupted NZ at 89/3 in 10 overs).
Series MVP: Rachin Ravindra (NZ) – 192 runs, 4 wickets, and electric fielding.
Test Series Preview: Battle for WTC Points
The teams now shift focus to a 2-Test series (February 25–March 8), critical for both in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle:
- Pakistan (3rd in WTC) seek redemption after a 2023-24 home loss to Australia.
- New Zealand (5th in WTC) aim to rebound from a drubbing in India.
Squads:
- PAK: Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.
- NZ: Tim Southee (c), Kane Williamson, Glenn Phillips, Ajaz Patel, Matt Henry.
Pitch Watch: Rawalpindi (flat deck) and Karachi (spin-friendly) will test strategies.
Key Players to Watch
- Babar Azam (PAK): Fresh off T20I heroics, can he dominate NZ’s swing attack?
- Kane Williamson (NZ): Returns after elbow surgery; needs big runs to silence critics.
- Naseem Shah (PAK): Reverse swing threat in home conditions.
- Ajaz Patel (NZ): Left-arm spinner eyes repeat of 2021 10-wicket Mumbai magic.
Historical Context: A Rivalry of Contrasts
- Head-to-Head (Tests): NZ leads 13-12 (4 draws) since 1955.
- Last Test Series (2022): NZ won 2-1 in Pakistan, anchored by Tom Latham’s 502 runs.
- Memorable Moment: In 2023, Saud Shakeel’s 208* saved Pakistan in Christchurch.
Controversies and Challenges
- Umpiring Debates: DRS inconsistencies marred the T20Is, sparking calls for neutral officials.
- Injury Woes: Shaheen Afridi (knee) ruled out of Tests; Trent Boult (NZ) skips series for ILT20.
- Security Concerns: NZ’s tour almost canceled after terror alerts, but PCB assured “presidential-level” safety.
What Experts Say
- Misbah-ul-Haq (ex-PAK captain): “Pakistan’s middle-order fragility in Tests could cost them.”
- Daniel Vettori (NZ coach): “Our pace attack, even without Boult, can exploit early moisture.”
- Harsha Bhogle: “This series is a litmus test for Test cricket’s survival in the T20 era.”
Upcoming Fixtures
- 1st Test: Feb 25–29, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
- 2nd Test: March 5–9, National Stadium, Karachi.
Broadcast: Live on PTV Sports (Pakistan) and Sky Sport NZ.
A Clash of Resilience vs Precision
With the T20I series proving both teams’ explosiveness, the Test matches promise a tactical duel. For Pakistan, it’s about harnessing home advantage; for New Zealand, adapting to subcontinental spin holds the key. As fans gear up, one thing’s certain: PAK vs NZ 2025 will add another thrilling chapter to cricket’s most underrated rivalry.
