Pakistan got its campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in the worst beginning as it scored 60 runs by New Zealand in the opening match of the tournament at National Stadium, Karachi on Wednesday, 19 February. After batting first, New Zealand posted a big score of 320/5 on the board in 50 overs allotted from Will Young (107 runs 113) and Tom Latham (104 runs 104).
In response, Pakistan was excluded for 260 in 47.2 overs as William O’Rurke (3/39) and Mitchell Santner (3/66) participate through their batting order. As a result, the hosts started their title defense in a forgetful manner and are on the verge of knocking out of the tournament. Pakistan’s poor show once again disappointed its fans, who stood behind them throughout the match as the ICC event returned to its nation after about 30 years.
Pakistan’s chase closed for a disastrous start as openers Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam failed to score quickly. Shakeel was promoted to open as an innings Rules forced Fakhar Zaman to spend some more time in dugoutHe was out of the field in the first innings after being injured during fielding.
Pak vs NZ Champions Trophy 2025 Highlights
The perseverance of New Zealand’s seamers finally received the awards as William O’Rurke managed to find the outdoor edge of Saud Shakeel (19 runs 19), which was safely caught by Matt Henry in the first slip. To manage Fakhar’s issue, Pakistan had to fully replenish its batting order as captain Mohammad Rizwan went to number three under great pressure.
Pakistan is never being chased
Despite being in a good form, Pakistan’s skipper failed to go as Kiwi bowlers continued to strangle him and Babur. Rizwan was finally rejected for 3 (14) for 3 (14), courtesy of a breathtaking catches by Glenn Philips, Pakistan was released from Pakistan at 22/2 after ten overs.
After two early explosions, Fakhar Zaman finally went out to bat, but was not at 100% best because he pulled himself in the middle. His arrival helped improve Pakistan’s run rate to improve three runs per over. However, it was still not enough to give a headache to the opposition, who put him under pressure with attacking the field setup.
After being demolished by Devon Conway, Fakhar’s knock ended at 24 (41) as he shattered his stump by Michael Bracewell. Pakistan was 69/3 after 21 overs when Salman joined Babur at Aga Creeage, Which was heavily criticized for lack of intentions in his innings.
Babur brought his 35Wan The half -century but the fact that it came in 80 balls, the game had no effect. Salman breathed some fresh air in Pakistan’s chase with a quick-fire knock of 42 (28), clobbing six fours and a six. However, all this was nothing with Pakistan that required 194 runs at the rate of more than ten runs. Therefore, he was rejected to play a lot more against Nathan Smith, which was further piled up for Pakistan, which was at 127/4 after 30.4 overs.
After his dismissal, Babur collected some boundaries for 64 (90) eventually dismissed. Khushdil Shah also played a brave hand of 69 (49), which helped reduce the gap of defeat in his side.
Youth and Latham rescue New Zealand
Earlier in the day, New Zealand made a decent debut with Openers Will Young and Devon Conway, with 39 runs for the first wicket off 45 balls. However, Pakistan made its way back in the game, rejecting Conway (10), Kane Williamson (1) and Derryl Michelle (10), in the quick time to leave New Zealand at 73/3 in 16.2 overs, in a cheap time to leave New Zealand at 73/3 in 16.2 overs. .
A horrific of wickets made Tom Latham young at The Creeze, who was batting on a completely separate track. After converting Rachin Ravindra into XI during the Tri-series, Young finally repaid the confidence of the team management as he brought his half-century in 55 delivery.
He further brought his fourth ODI hundred off 107 balls And went to play a brilliant innings of 107 (113) to save New Zealand. Young added 118 runs for the fourth wicket with Latham, who also brought his eighth ODI hundred, with an unbeaten 118* (104) clobberbing ten fours and three sixes. Glenn Philips ended the innings with a bang of 61 (39) as they put Pakistan bowlers in the sword.
Nasim Shah (2/63) and Haris Rauf (2/83) took two wickets in each for the hosts, while Abrar Ahmed recorded economic figures of 1/47 in ten overs. Meanwhile, after their loss, Pakistan’s net run rate has been affected extensively, which is now at -1.200. Mohammad Rizwan -led aspect will have to make a comeback to reminiscent of his 2017 campaign if they want to survive in the tournament. He will next time adopt arch-rivals India in his second game on Sunday 23 February in Dubai.
