New Zealand dominated Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025 opener in Karachi, securing a resounding 60-run victory. A strong batting performance, led by centuries from Tom Latham (118*) and Will Young (107), helped the Kiwis set a challenging target of 320. Glenn Phillips’ explosive 61 off 39 balls added the finishing touch to New Zealand’s innings.
Pakistan’s chase faltered early as they were reduced to 22/2 in the first 10 overs. Babar Azam anchored the innings with a patient 64 off 90 balls, while Khushdil Shah provided some late fireworks with a 54-ball 69. However, disciplined bowling from William O’Rourke and Mitchell Santner (three wickets each) ensured that Pakistan never truly threatened the target.
NZ VS PAK Champions Brief Scorecard
New Zealand: 320/5 in 50 overs (Tom Latham 118*, Will Young 107, Glenn Phillips 61; Naseem Shah 2-63)
Pakistan: 260 all out in 49 overs (Babar Azam 64, Khushdil Shah 69; William O’Rourke 3-45, Mitchell Santner 3-50)
Result: New Zealand won by 60 runs.
Match Highlights:
- New Zealand posted a formidable 320/5 in 50 overs.
- Tom Latham (118*) and Will Young (107) scored crucial centuries.
- Glenn Phillips’ late blitz (61 off 39) propelled New Zealand past 300.
- Pakistan struggled in the chase, finishing at 260 all out.
- Babar Azam (64 off 90) and Khushdil Shah (69 off 54) fought hard.
- William O’Rourke and Mitchell Santner picked up three wickets each.
NZ VS PAK – New Zealand’s Batting Brilliance
Winning the toss, Pakistan opted to field first, hoping to capitalize on early movement. However, their plans were disrupted as New Zealand’s batters found their rhythm. Opener Will Young played fluently, smashing 12 fours and a six en route to his 107. Meanwhile, Tom Latham steadied the innings with an unbeaten 118, accelerating in the later overs.
Daryl Mitchell struggled initially but played a supporting role, allowing Young and Latham to dictate terms. At 73/3, Pakistan had a brief hold on the game, but a crucial 118-run stand between Young and Latham turned the momentum in New Zealand’s favor.
Glenn Phillips then took the Pakistani pacers to task in the final overs, thrashing the likes of Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf to push New Zealand beyond the 300-run mark.
NZ VS PAK – Pakistan’s Struggles in the Chase
Chasing 321, Pakistan had a disastrous start as they lost two wickets inside the first 10 overs. The slow start put them on the back foot, forcing the middle order to take risks. Babar Azam tried to stabilize the innings, but his 64 off 90 deliveries lacked the acceleration needed to keep up with the required run rate.
Khushdil Shah played a valiant knock, scoring 69 off 54 balls, while Salman Agha added 42 runs. Despite their efforts, Pakistan could not recover from the early setbacks. New Zealand’s bowlers, led by William O’Rourke and Mitchell Santner, kept Pakistan’s batters in check with tight lines and effective variations.
Key Bowling Performances
- William O’Rourke: 3 wickets
- Mitchell Santner: 3 wickets
- Naseem Shah: 2 wickets (best for Pakistan)
New Zealand’s victory was a result of their all-round dominance, with both batters and bowlers stepping up to the occasion. Pakistan, on the other hand, will have to regroup quickly to stay competitive in the tournament.
New Zealand’s comprehensive victory sets the tone for their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, while Pakistan will need to reassess their batting approach for the next match against India. With more matches to come, both teams will look to adapt and improve in their upcoming fixtures.
Stay tuned for more updates on PAK vs NZ Champions Trophy 2025!
For Latest Cricket Updates Visit CricTalent
Cricket Addict. Here I share my views on Cricket and provide Cricket News in Hindi And English. Covering WPL, IPL, And indian team cricket match series.