KARACHI: New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 60 runs in the tournament opener of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 tournament on Wednesday, defeating the hosts and defending champions by 60 runs in Karachi.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first. However, the decision did not bode well for the green shirts as driven by centuries from Will Young and Tom Latham, New Zealand finished on 320-5 at the end of their 50 overs.
New Zealand's Will Young celebrates after scoring century during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on February 19, 2025. (AP)
In turn, Pakistani batters were not good enough to chase the impressive total. Former captain Babar Azam scored 64 runs from 90 balls while left-handed all-rounder Khushdil Shah top-scored with 69 runs from 49 deliveries. Salman Ali Agha scored 42 while Fakhar Zaman scored 24 runs from 40 balls. Pakistan were bowled out for 260 runs in 47.2 overs.
New Zealand's Tom Latham celebrates after scoring fifty during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on February 19, 2025. (AP)
“Clinical New Zealand down Pakistan in #ChampionsTrophy 2025 opener,” the International Cricket Council (ICC) wrote on social media platform X.
The Kiwis contained Pakistani batters from chasing the total, with impressive performances from Will O’Rourke who returned figures of 3-47 from nine overs while Mitchell Santner finished with 3-66 from 10 overs.
Matt Henry took 2-25 from 7.2 overs Michael Bracewell and Nathan Smith each took once wicket.
Latham was awarded the Player of the Match for his stellar knock of 118 runs from 104 balls.
Pakistan's Naseem Shah celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of New Zealand's Will Young, caught out by substitute Faheem Ashraf during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on February 19, 2025. (REUTERS)
Pakistan will next face New Zealand on Feb. 23 in Dubai before facing Bangladesh on Feb. 27. India will take on Group A opponents Bangladesh in Dubai on Thursday.
Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi, right bowls as New Zealand's Tom Latham watches during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on February 19, 2025. (AP)
