New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner acknowledged that his team will face a tough challenge in the tri-nation final in Karachi, expecting 99 percent of the crowd to support Pakistan.
Speaking in a press conference, Santner praised the atmosphere in Karachi and Lahore, saying, “The crowd here is amazing, but it does feel like almost everyone will support Pakistan in the final of the tri-nation finals.”
He anticipated another high-scoring game, highlighting the flat nature of the Karachi wicket. “The matches have been high-scoring, and we expect the same in the final,” he said.
Santner also acknowledged Pakistan’s strong chase in the last match, calling it a great performance. “Pakistan batted really well while chasing. We are expecting another great match in the final.”
On New Zealand’s squad selection for the Champions Trophy 2025, Santner revealed that the playing XI has not been finalized yet but stressed that the team had ample time to prepare.
“We played two matches in three days, so there was some fatigue, but we got a good rest in Karachi,” he said.
Providing an update on Rachin Ravindra’s fitness, he stated, “Rachin is feeling better, but we are not taking any risks. We are monitoring his condition closely.”
Despite the challenges, Santner expressed his team’s enjoyment of playing in Pakistan and looked forward to a competitive final in the tri-series and upcoming Champions Trophy 2025.
