Wellington, Feb. 16 -- Tim Southee will find himself in unfamiliar territory watching the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025 rather than playing but has backed his former teammates to impress in Pakistan.

The former Blackcaps bowler and captain called time on his international career at the end of 2024, meaning that both he and Trent Boult will be absent from the team that looks to bring home the trophy for the first time since 2000.

While the fast-bowling ranks look relatively inexperienced, Kane Williamson and captain Mitchell Santner know what it takes to make it to the sharp end of tournaments.

And having just won the Tri-Nation Series in Pakistan as a warm-up, Southee has been impressed with what he has seen.

He said, "The way the t...