New Zealand announce 15-man squad for Pakistan tri-series, Champions Trophy 2025

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has named a 15-man squad for the upcoming edition of the Champions Trophy and the tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa, preceding the ICC event. There was no place for Trent Boult as the selectors opted for new faces in the seam-bowling department.

The pace trio of Ben Sears, Will O'Rourke and Nathan Smith will embark on their maiden ICC event in the next month's Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the UAE. Sears is yet to play an ODI but has bagged 40 scalps in 33 List-A games at 34.52. Meanwhile, Smith and O'Rourke have become regular contributors across formats for New Zealand.

Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson are the senior players in the pace-bowling unit. It will also be the first ICC event as captain for Mitchell Santner, who is selected as the spin-bowling all-rounder alongside Michael Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra, and Glenn Phillips. Tom Latham will keep the gloves.

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.

"We’re currently blessed with a lot of quality players" - New Zealand head coach

Gary Stead. (Image Credits: Getty)

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead, who announced the squad at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland, acknowledged that the think tank was in a fix regarding selection decisions. Stead said, as quoted by nzc.nz:

"ICC tournaments represent the pinnacle of our game and it’s a huge honour to be picked to represent your country at them. I’d especially like to acknowledge Ben, Nathan and Will who will be attending their first senior ICC events and I know they’re really excited to do so. We’re currently blessed with a lot of quality players and that certainly made for some challenging selection discussions."

"Ultimately, we’ve gone with the squad that will offer us the best options to perform well in the expected conditions in Pakistan and the UAE."

The Black Caps are clubbed with India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan in the mega event. They will open their campaign against Pakistan in Karachi on February 19. The tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa will run from February 8 -14.