New Zealand thump hosts Pakistan by 60 runs in Champions Trophy opener

New Zealand’s Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips in action during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on February 19, 2025. (REUTERS)
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Updated 19 February 2025
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New Zealand thump hosts Pakistan by 60 runs in Champions Trophy opener

  • Tom Latham bags Player of the Match for stellar knock of 118 runs from 104 balls
  • Pakistan next face Group A opponents and arch-rivals India in Dubai on Feb. 23

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)

 


Formula E heads to Jeddah for double-header, Evans looking to build on Miami momentum

Updated 10 February 2026
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Formula E heads to Jeddah for double-header, Evans looking to build on Miami momentum

  • The night races in Saudi Arabia come with the drivers’ standings tightly contested, with the top five separated by just seven points after three rounds

JEDDAH: The FIA Formula E World Championship continues this week with the first double-header of the 2025/26 season, as Rounds 4 and 5 take place at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Feb. 13 and 14.

The night races in Saudi Arabia come with the drivers’ standings tightly contested, with the top five separated by just seven points after three rounds, while the highly anticipated Pit Boost feature also returns this weekend.

Pit Boost is a mandatory mid-race stop that provides cars with a 10 percent energy increase, adding a significant strategic element to selected races during double-header weekends.

Jaguar TCS Racing’s Mitch Evans arrives in Jeddah fresh from victory in Miami and said the team is keen to build on its momentum.

“Getting the win in Miami was a huge boost, for me personally, of course, but for the whole team too. It was one of those races where everything just came together, and to take my 15th Formula E victory with Jaguar made it even more special,” he said.

“Now the attention shifts to Jeddah, which is a completely different challenge. We’ve shown we have the pace, and if we execute well across both races, there’s a big opportunity for us to really ride this momentum,” he added.

Porsche Formula E Team’s Nico Muller said the Jeddah E-Prix presents a unique challenge, particularly with the return of Pit Boost, which will be used in one of the two races.

“I’m excited for the Jeddah E-Prix, a night race is always special. It’s a cool track, it suits the GEN3 Evo (car) well,” he said.

“It’ll be the first Pit Boost race of the season, which will make things challenging, having two completely different races. It also makes preparation more intense because we’re preparing for two different scenarios.

“However, we have a strong base, the car and the team are performing well, and now it’s about optimizing our package for this track and the conditions. We have full focus on scoring points and chasing that victory,” he added.

The Jeddah E-Prix will once again be held under the lights, with cooler track and air temperatures expected to influence tire behavior and energy efficiency.

Off track, Formula E will also host the return of EVO Sessions, where global content creators will drive electric race cars at the circuit following the race weekend, with the event set to be streamed live on YouTube on Feb. 15.

The championship continues to promote sustainability and community engagement in Jeddah through initiatives focused on renewable energy use, waste reduction, education programs and inclusion, including support for young women in motorsport and local community partnerships.