New Zealand name pace-heavy squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

For the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will be held in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates in February and March, fast bowlers Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears have been called back into New Zealand’s 15-man squad.

The Black Caps announced a fast-paced lineup on Sunday, making it their first global tournament for Seamers Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, and Will O’Rourke.

After Trent Boult and Tim Southee’s legendary players retired abroad, left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner and Matt Henry will lead the 15-man squad while Matt Santner, who was appointed white-ball captain last month, will take over the pace attack.

Only Santner, Kane Williamson, and Tom Blundell remain from the 2017 Champions Trophy team’s final game.

The batting lineup is strong, with Devon Conway, Will Young, Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell and Williamson providing depth and experience.

Ready for the #ChampionsTrophy photo shoot in Pakistan and the UAE. twitter.com/Q4tbhqm0xi

Coach Gary Stead remarked, “We’re currently blessed with a lot of quality players, and that certainly made for some challenging selection discussions.

“We selected the team that will give us the best options for performing well in Pakistan and the UAE,” he said.

Ferguson, who played in Australia’s Big Bash League before, is no longer a part of New Zealand cricket. He also missed the series against Sri Lanka.

Sears is back in action after suffering a knee injury for the majority of last year, while Smith and O’Rourke impressed in the recent Test series against England and the subsequent limited-overs series against Sri Lanka.

Jacob Duffy, who was outstanding in the T20 and one-day international series against Sri Lanka, has been named a travelling reserve.

Before the tournament officially begins on February 19, the Black Caps will play warm-up matches against Pakistan, South Africa, and Afghanistan in Karachi and Lahore.

New Zealand will play a warm-up tri-series in Karachi and Lahore before a warm-up match against Afghanistan in Karachi.

The top eight ODI men’s cricket teams in the world compete for the Champions Trophy.

In 2000, New Zealand won the tournament for the first time.

Squad: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young.