Kane Williamson In Splits After Fan's Hilarious Request: 'Don't Score Against Pakistan, Hit Century vs India' (Source: X)
New Zealand have arrived in Pakistan for the tri-series involving the hosts and South Africa ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy. New Zealand are a very good team, even in subcontinent conditions, and will be one of the favourites to win the trophy. The tri-series ahead of the tournament will give the visitors a good preparation for the showpiece event.
New Zealand team will revolve around veteran batter Kane Williamson, who will be playing ODI cricket for the first time since the semifinal against India in the ODI World Cup 2023. Ahead of the series, Williamson encountered a hilarious fan who asked the former New Zealand captain to not score runs against Pakistan but hit a century against India.
The tri-series will get underway on February 8 where Pakistan will play New Zealand in Lahore. New Zealand will face South Africa in the next match at the same venue on February 10. Pakistan will take on South Africa in the final league game in Karachi on February 12 while the final will be played on February 14 at the National Stadium in Karachi.
As for the Champions Trophy, Pakistan and New Zealand are clubbed in Group A along with India and Bangladesh, and will play the opening game of the showpiece event on February 19. Meanwhile, South Africa have been clubbed with Australia, England, and Afghanistan.
South Africa named the squad for the first ODI of the tri-series and included six debutants. Several of their key players who are part of the Champions Trophy were not included.
South Africa Squad For 1st ODI: Temba Bavuma (capt), Eathan Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Junior Dala, Wiaan Mulder, Mihlali Mpongwana, Senuran Muthusamy, Gideon Peters, Meeka-eel Prince, Jason Smith, Kyle Verreynne
New Zealand Squad: Mitchell Santner (capt), 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, Jacob Duffy
Pakistan Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
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