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Pakistan's Champions Trophy 2025 campaign began disastrously with a 60-run defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the tournament opener on Wednesday, February 19, at the National Stadium in Karachi.
New Zealand thrash Pakistan in Champions Trophy opener
New Zealand, after being asked to bat first, posted a formidable 320/5 in their 50 overs, thanks to brilliant centuries from Will Young (107 off 113) and Tom Latham (118 off 104).
Pakistan's chase fell well short, as they were bowled out for 260 in 47.2 overs. William O'Rourke (3/39) and Mitchell Santner (3/66) were the architects of Pakistan's batting collapse. This dismal start leaves the hosts on the brink of elimination and marks a disappointing beginning to their title defense. The performance was a bitter pill for Pakistani fans to swallow, especially after their enthusiastic support throughout the match, which marked the return of ICC cricket to their home soil after more than 29 years.
Pakistan's patchy batting
Pakistan's chase began disastrously, with openers Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam struggling to score quickly. Shakeel was unexpectedly promoted to open due to regulations requiring Fakhar Zaman to remain off the field for a certain duration after being injured while fielding in the first innings.
New Zealand's seamers eventually found success when William O'Rourke induced an edge from Saud Shakeel (6 off 19), which was caught by Matt Henry at first slip. Fakhar's situation forced Pakistan to reshuffle their batting order, with captain Mohammad Rizwan walking in at number three under considerable pressure.
Despite his recent good form, Rizwan struggled to get going, as the Kiwi bowlers maintained a tight grip on him and Babar. Rizwan's innings ended with a mere 3 runs off 14 balls, thanks to a spectacular one-handed catch by Glenn Phillips at point, leaving Pakistan reeling at 22/2 after ten overs.
Fakhar Zaman finally came out to bat after the two early wickets, but was clearly not at his best. His presence did improve Pakistan's run rate from 2.2 to over three runs per over, but it wasn't enough to trouble New Zealand, who continued to apply pressure with aggressive field placements.
Fakhar Zaman's struggling innings, after being dropped by Devon Conway, came to an end on 24 runs off 41 balls when he was bowled by Michael Bracewell. Pakistan were 69/3 after 21 overs when Salman Agha joined Babar Azam at the crease. Babar's innings was heavily criticized for its lack of intent.
Babar Azam's fifty in vain
Babar reached his 35th half-century, but the fact that it took him 80 balls rendered it meaningless in the context of the game. Salman injected some much-needed momentum into Pakistan's chase with a rapid 42 runs off 28 balls, hitting six fours and a six. However, with Pakistan needing 194 runs at a required run rate of over ten an over, his efforts were ultimately insufficient. He was dismissed attempting an aggressive shot against Nathan Smith, further compounding Pakistan's woes, who were left at 127/4 after 30.4 overs.
Following Salman's dismissal, Babar added a couple of boundaries before finally being dismissed for 64 runs off 90 balls. Khushdil Shah also contributed a valiant 69 runs off 49 balls, helping to reduce the margin of defeat for Pakistan.
Will Young, Tom Latham's centuries in New Zealand's win
Batting first, New Zealand posted a formidable 320/5, fueled by impressive centuries from Will Young and Tom Latham. The innings started shakily for the Kiwis, with Pakistan's mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed dismissing Devon Conway for 10 in the eighth over. The situation worsened as Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf quickly removed Kane Williamson (1) and Daryl Mitchell (10), leaving New Zealand struggling at 73/3 in 16.2 overs.
However, wicketkeeper-batter Tom Latham, fresh off a match-winning half-century in the tri-nation ODI series final, stepped up to steady the ship. He partnered with the set Will Young, and their crucial 118-run fourth-wicket partnership shifted the momentum back in New Zealand's favor.
Naseem Shah eventually broke the partnership in the 38th over, dismissing centurion Young for 107 off 113 balls, an innings studded with 12 fours and a six. Latham, however, remained resolute, carrying his bat for an unbeaten 118 off 104 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes.
Glenn Phillips then provided a late flourish, smashing a quickfire 61 off 39 deliveries, with three fours and four sixes, pushing New Zealand's total to an imposing 320.
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