New Zealand At 2025 Champions Trophy SWOT Analysis: Can NZ End Their 25-Year Wait?

Can NZ win 2025 Champions Trophy? Photo: AP

New Zealand will be one of the solid contenders to lift the 2025 Champions Trophy , scheduled to be played in Pakistan and Dubai from February 19 to March 9. Led by Mitchell Santner , NZ will aim to end their 25-year wait. Back in 2000, NZ defeated India in the final of the ICC Knockout trophy to lift their first ICC title. They haven't won a white-ball ICC trophy since then but have always been strong contenders.

NZ are in form and they will be a real threat to their opponents. They have performed well in the Asian conditions of late and playing away from home isn't a big issue for them. Not to forget, they stunned India in October-November 2024 by whitewashing them in the three-match Test series. NZ have always been a dark horse when it comes to ICC events.

Strengths

New Zealand are a solid side and they have always been favourites to win ICC events. NZ made it to the second round of the previous two ODI World Cups while they also made it to the final of the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Kane Williamson 's comeback has strengthened their batting and all eyes will be on him. Devon Conway has enough experience of playing in Asia now. Tom Latham has consistently performed for NZ and much will rely on him.

NZ have a solid batter in Daryl Mitchell, who also shone in the 2023 ODI WC. The presence of all-rounders like Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman make NZ a solid contender.

Weaknesses

NZ have a weakened pace attack in the absence of Tim Southee and Trent Boult. Southee has now retired from international cricket while Boult mostly plays T20 leagues. Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the tournament. Matt Henry has enough experience but their pace battery lacks much-needed experience.

Jacob Duffy has only played 11 ODIs while Will O'Rourke made his ODI debut in December 2023. The absence of a reliable pacer can hurt NZ's chances.

NZ's second weakness is their habit of fumbling on crucial stages. They lost to India in the 2023 World Cup semi-final, suffered a defeat against Australia in the 2021 T20 World Cup final and suffered a heartbreak against England in the 2019 ODI World Cup final. They also lost the 2015 ODI World Cup final and the semi-final of the 2011 WC. They have to overcome the habit of losing at crucial stages.

Opportunities

NZ had an opportunity to play a tri-series in Pakistan before the Champions Trophy and they emerged as the champions of the three-team event. NZ have the best opportunity to end their drought and win the title. Their players are well-versed with the Asian conditions now and it shouldn't be tough for them in these conditions.

Threats

NZ are in Group A along with Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. Barring NZ, the other three teams are Asian teams, which is a big threat. The Asian teams are better prepared for the conditions in Pakistan and Dubai. The Asian teams in Group A are a big threat to NZ.

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