Karachi, February 19, 2025 – New Zealand spoiled Pakistan’s homecoming in ICC Champions Trophy cricket, securing a convincing 60-run victory in the tournament’s opening clash at Karachi’s National Stadium. Tom Latham and Will Young struck commanding centuries, propelling the Black Caps to 320/5 before Pakistan faltered in their chase, folding for 260 in 47.2 overs.
Latham’s unbeaten 118 off 104 balls earned him the Player of the Match accolade, while Young contributed 107, anchoring New Zealand’s innings after early setbacks. Glenn Phillips added late fireworks with a brisk 61, ensuring New Zealand capitalized on their strong foundation. Naseem Shah (2/63) was the pick of Pakistan’s bowlers, but the hosts struggled to contain the flow of runs in the latter overs.
Early Setbacks and Strong Recovery
New Zealand faced early troubles as Devon Conway fell to Abrar Ahmed’s carrom ball for just 10, and Kane Williamson followed soon after, dismissed for a rare single-digit ODI score. At 73/3, the pressure was on, but Young and Latham stitched a vital 118-run partnership, expertly navigating spin and pace alike. Young’s steady knock provided the perfect counter to Pakistan’s attack, while Latham accelerated in the latter stages, punishing anything loose.
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Their partnership steadied the ship and laid the groundwork for an explosive finish. Glenn Phillips took charge in the death overs, smashing boundaries with ease and ensuring New Zealand plundered 113 runs in the last ten overs. His aggressive 61 proved decisive in setting Pakistan an imposing target.
Pakistan’s Struggles Begin Early
Pakistan’s response got off to the worst possible start. Fakhar Zaman’s early injury left the hosts without their aggressive opener at the top, and his eventual arrival at No. 4 did little to change fortunes. New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Matt Henry and Ben Sears, applied relentless pressure. Pakistan stumbled to 22/2 in ten overs, and the required run rate soon escalated beyond control.
Babar Azam attempted to anchor the innings, but his cautious approach—scoring his half-century in 81 balls—left too much to do for the lower order. While Khushdil Shah played an aggressive hand with 69, Pakistan never looked in control of the chase. New Zealand’s spinners, Santner and Bracewell, effectively tied down the middle order, exploiting the turning pitch and ensuring wickets fell at regular intervals.
Key Performers and Tactical Brilliance
New Zealand’s adaptability was on full display. Despite missing key all-rounder Rachin Ravindra, their batting depth shone through, and their bowling tactics were spot-on. O’Rourke and Santner claimed three wickets each, ensuring no Pakistan batter could settle for long. Bracewell, though finishing with just one wicket, played a crucial role in restricting scoring options.
On the other side, Pakistan’s bowling lacked the same discipline in the crucial final ten overs. Naseem Shah was the standout, but Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi struggled with their lines, allowing New Zealand’s batters to dictate terms.
Implications for the Tournament
With just three group-stage matches, Pakistan now finds itself in a precarious position. Their next fixture is a must-win if they are to keep semi-final hopes alive. Meanwhile, New Zealand will carry forward immense confidence, having begun their campaign with a dominant all-round performance.
Pakistan will need to reassess their batting approach, ensuring a balance between aggression and stability. Fakhar Zaman’s fitness will also be a key concern ahead of their next match. For New Zealand, this win serves as a warning to other teams—despite missing key players, they remain a formidable force in the Champions Trophy.
Score Summary:
New Zealand: 320/5 (Latham 118*, Young 107, Phillips 61; Naseem 2/63) Pakistan: 260 (Khushdil 69, Babar 64; O’Rourke 3/47, Santner 3/66)
New Zealand won by 60 runs.
