source : ICC
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 got off to a thrilling start as New Zealand registered a commanding 60-run victory over defending champions Pakistan in Karachi. The match saw stellar performances from New Zealand’s batsmen, with Tom Latham and Will Young scoring centuries, setting the tone for their campaign. Pakistan, on the other hand, struggled to chase the massive total, falling short despite valiant efforts from Babar Azam and Khushdil Shah. This opening clash highlighted the dominance of the Black Caps and set the stage for an exciting tournament ahead.
After Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first, they initially put New Zealand under pressure by reducing them to 73 for 3. However, a crucial 118-run partnership between Young (107) and Latham (118 not out) helped New Zealand recover. Their well-crafted centuries were followed by a quickfire 61 off 39 balls from Glenn Phillips, propelling New Zealand to an imposing 320 for 5 in 50 overs. Pakistan’s pace attack, led by Naseem Shah (2 for 63), showed promise early on but struggled to contain the New Zealand middle order.
In response, Pakistan had a sluggish start, managing just 22 runs in the first 10 overs while losing two crucial wickets. Babar Azam fought hard with a 64-run knock, but his slow strike rate (64 off 90 balls) added to Pakistan’s woes. Khushdil Shah (69) and Salman Agha (42 off 28 balls) injected some momentum into the innings, but the home team ultimately fell short, getting bowled out for 260. New Zealand’s bowling attack, led by William O’Rourke (3 for 47) and Mitchell Santner (3 for 52), played a key role in restricting Pakistan and securing a crucial win.
This victory marked a strong start for New Zealand, with Young making history as the first batter to score a hundred in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Latham’s eighth ODI century added further credibility to the team’s batting lineup. Their performance in this match reaffirmed their form, following their recent Tri-Nation Series triumph against Pakistan and South Africa. Despite missing key pacers like Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears due to injuries, the Black Caps’ well-balanced squad proved their mettle with both bat and ball.
Pakistan, on the other hand, will need to reassess their approach, particularly their top-order performance and strike rate. While their middle order showed resilience, the slow start put them on the back foot early in the chase. As the tournament progresses, the defending champions must bounce back quickly to keep their title hopes alive. Fans can look forward to their next encounter, where they will aim to correct their mistakes and put up a stronger fight.
With the Champions Trophy 2025 just beginning, this opening match has set a high standard. Cricket fans can expect more thrilling encounters as the tournament unfolds. Stay tuned for further updates, scorecards, and highlights as the world’s best teams battle it out for the prestigious title.
