The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is heating up as South Africa takes on New Zealand in a high-stakes encounter on March 5, 2025. Fantasy cricket fans are eagerly looking for the best Dream11 predictions, pitch conditions, key players, and expert tips to create the ultimate fantasy team.
In this comprehensive article, we provide everything you need to know, from pitch reports and weather conditions to probable playing XIs and the best fantasy picks for today’s match.
Match Details
- Match: South Africa vs New Zealand, ICC Champions Trophy 2025
- Date: March 5, 2025
- Time: 2:30 PM IST
- Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- Live Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar, Star Sports Network
Pitch Report for SA vs NZ Champions Trophy 2025 Match
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore – Pitch Analysis
The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is known for its balanced pitch, offering assistance to both batsmen and bowlers. Here are the key characteristics of the surface:
- Batting-friendly conditions: The pitch generally supports batsmen in the first innings, with an average first-innings score of around 290.
- Pace bowlers’ advantage: Early on, pacers can extract some swing and bounce due to the fresh conditions.
- Spinners come into play later: As the match progresses, spinners will play a crucial role, especially in the middle overs.
- Chasing advantage: Teams batting second have a higher winning percentage at this venue.
Weather Forecast for March 5, 2025
- Temperature: 22°C
- Humidity: 55%
- Wind Speed: 10 km/h
- Chance of Rain: 5% (Clear skies expected)
SA vs NZ Head-to-Head Stats in ODIs
- Total ODIs Played: 73
- South Africa Wins: 43
- New Zealand Wins: 25
- No Result: 5
South Africa has historically dominated this fixture, but New Zealand has proven to be a strong competitor in ICC events.
Probable Playing XI for SA vs NZ
South Africa:
- Quinton de Kock (wk)
- Temba Bavuma (c)
- Rassie van der Dussen
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Aiden Markram
- Marco Jansen
- David Miller
- Keshav Maharaj
- Kagiso Rabada
- Lungi Ngidi
- Anrich Nortje
New Zealand:
- Devon Conway
- Will Young
- Kane Williamson (c)
- Daryl Mitchell
- Tom Latham (wk)
- Glenn Phillips
- Mitchell Santner
- Michael Bracewell
- Matt Henry
- Tim Southee
- Trent Boult
SA vs NZ Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips
Top Picks for SA vs NZ Dream11 Team
Batsmen:
- Kane Williamson (NZ): A match-winner with three centuries against SA in ODIs.
- Rassie van der Dussen (SA): One of the most consistent ODI batsmen with a strong record against New Zealand.
- Devon Conway (NZ): A solid top-order batsman who can anchor the innings.
All-rounders:
- Marco Jansen (SA): Provides both wickets and crucial runs in the lower order.
- Mitchell Santner (NZ): An experienced all-rounder who can contribute with both bat and ball.
Bowlers:
- Kagiso Rabada (SA): South Africa’s pace spearhead with a proven track record.
- Trent Boult (NZ): New Zealand’s most experienced pacer in white-ball cricket.
- Matt Henry (NZ): Has been in exceptional form, picking up key wickets in recent matches.
Wicketkeepers:
- Heinrich Klaasen (SA): A powerful hitter and consistent performer in the middle order.
- Tom Latham (NZ): Reliable behind the stumps and a key contributor with the bat.
SA vs NZ Dream11 Team Prediction (Small League & Grand League)
Dream11 Team for Small Leagues
- Wicketkeeper: Heinrich Klaasen
- Batsmen: Kane Williamson, Rassie van der Dussen, Devon Conway
- All-rounders: Marco Jansen, Mitchell Santner
- Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Keshav Maharaj
- Captain: Kane Williamson
- Vice-Captain: Marco Jansen
Dream11 Team for Grand Leagues
- Wicketkeeper: Tom Latham
- Batsmen: Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Will Young
- All-rounders: Marco Jansen, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner
- Bowlers: Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Matt Henry
- Captain: Rassie van der Dussen
- Vice-Captain: Glenn Phillips
Expert Fantasy Cricket Tips for SA vs NZ
- Invest in all-rounders: Players like Marco Jansen and Mitchell Santner contribute with both bat and ball, making them valuable Dream11 picks.
- Pick death-over bowlers: Bowlers like Kagiso Rabada and Trent Boult will likely bowl in the crucial death overs and have a higher chance of taking wickets.
- Analyze recent form: Rassie van der Dussen and Kane Williamson have been in top form, making them ideal choices for captaincy.
- Weather & Pitch Conditions Matter: Given the batting-friendly conditions, opt for more top-order batsmen in your Dream11 team.
Final Thoughts
The SA vs NZ match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is expected to be a thrilling contest. With both teams fielding strong lineups, selecting the right Dream11 team is crucial. Use our expert analysis, pitch report, and fantasy tips to build your winning fantasy cricket team.
Stay tuned for more updates, live match analysis, and the latest fantasy cricket predictions!
FAQs
Q1: What is the best Dream11 combination for SA vs NZ?
A: A balanced team with 3-4 top batsmen, 2-3 all-rounders, and 3-4 bowlers will be ideal for today’s match.
Q2: Who should be the captain for SA vs NZ Dream11 team?
A: Kane Williamson and Rassie van der Dussen are strong captaincy choices due to their consistent performances.
Q3: Where can I watch SA vs NZ live?
A: The match will be live-streamed on Disney+ Hotstar and broadcast on Star Sports Network.
Good luck with your Dream11 fantasy team!