LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner welcomes its chance to play Pakistan in the tri-series ahead of the Black Caps’ opening game of the Champions Trophy against the hosts at Karachi on Feb. 19.

“It’s good prep for us,” Santner said Friday. “Lahore might play slightly different to Karachi, but a game against Pakistan and then similar conditions to probably what we’re going to face for that first game in Karachi, so it’s obviously a good lead in.”

New Zealand is sweating on the fitness of fast bowler Lockie Ferguson and has flown in Jacob Duffy as backup in the tri-series.

Santner hopes former captain Kane Williamson will provide New Zealand enough cushion in the middle-order but was wary of Zaman’s big hitting upfront which saw Pakistan beating New Zealand in a high-scoring World Cup match at Bangalore in 2023.

“He’s ( Fakhar Zaman) a problem for us,” Santner said. “He likes playing New Zealand. I think he’s got runs every time he’s played us … we know how good he is along with a lot of their top six, top seven (batters). We know it’s going to be a challenge, but we are ready.”a

Seven players named in South Africa’s Champions Trophy squad will arrive in Pakistan after the tri-series final.

Marco Jansen, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs will miss the tri-series with South Africa naming several uncapped players.

Keshav Maharaj and Heinrich Klaasen will be available for South Africa’s second tri-series game against Pakistan at Karachi on Feb. 12.

The uncapped players available for South Africa’s first tri-series match against New Zealand on Monday include batter Meeka-eel Prince, pace bowlers Eathan Bosch and Gideon Peters, and all-rounder Mihlali Mpongwana.

South Africa suffered a major setback when fast bowler Gerald Coetzee was ruled out of the tri-series and Champions Trophy tournaments with a groin injury.