By Rohit - February 19, 2025 10:32 PMThe opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 between Pakistan and New Zealand at Karachi's National Stadium was a rollercoaster of emotions, with New Zealand emerging victorious by 60 runs after posting a formidable total of 320/5. Pakistan, despite a valiant effort, fell short in their chase, finishing at 260/9. Here are the key highlights from this gripping contest:
New Zealand's innings was anchored by centuries from Will Young (107 off 113 balls) and Tom Latham (118* off 104 balls), alongside a blistering 61 off 39 balls from Glenn Phillips. The Kiwis recovered from a shaky start, losing three wickets in the first 17 overs, including the prized scalp of Kane Williamson for just 1 run. However, Young and Latham steadied the ship with a 118-run partnership, laying the foundation for a massive total.
The final 10 overs were particularly devastating for Pakistan, as New Zealand scored at over 11 runs per over, with Phillips and Latham unleashing a flurry of boundaries. Latham's century came off just 95 balls, showcasing his ability to accelerate when needed.
Chasing 321, Pakistan's innings got off to a rocky start. Saud Shakeel fell early, and Fakhar Zaman, who was visibly struggling with an injury, couldn't open the innings. Zaman, batting on one leg, soldiered on but was unable to run effectively, severely hampering Pakistan's momentum. His eventual dismissal for 24 off 41 balls further dented their hopes.
Babar Azam, Pakistan's star batter, crawled to a half-century in 81 balls, playing out 49 dot balls in the process. His slow innings, coupled with the mounting required run rate, left Pakistan in a precarious position. Despite a brief spark from Salman Ali Agha (42 off 28 balls) and a late charge by Khushdil Shah (69 off 49 balls), Pakistan fell short. Khushdil's dismissal in the 44th over effectively ended their chances of a miraculous comeback.
The lower order, however, showed some fight. Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf entertained the crowd with a brief assault, hitting three sixes between them in the 47th over. Rauf's cameo of 19 off 10 balls ended when he was caught at long-on, attempting another big hit. Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 260 in 47 overs.
For New Zealand, William O'Rourke (3/39) and Mitchell Santner (2/44) were the standout bowlers, consistently applying pressure on the Pakistani batters. Pakistan's Naseem Shah (2/63) and Haris Rauf (2/83) tried their best but were unable to contain the Kiwi batters in the death overs.
This victory marked New Zealand's fourth consecutive ODI win on Pakistani soil and their third straight win against Pakistan in ODIs. With this performance, the Kiwis have firmly established themselves as the runaway favourites to win the Champions Trophy. Their balanced batting lineup, disciplined bowling, and sharp fielding make them a formidable opponent for any team in the tournament.
New Zealand's comprehensive performance with both bat and ball secured them a convincing victory in the tournament opener. Pakistan, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly, especially with concerns over Fakhar Zaman's fitness and their middle-order consistency. As the Champions Trophy progresses, both teams will look to build on their strengths and address their weaknesses in what promises to be an exciting tournament.
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w/c), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, William ORourke
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