The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 kicked off with an exciting clash between Pakistan and New Zealand, where the Kiwis delivered a commanding performance to secure a 60-run victory at the National Stadium in Karachi. Pakistan vs New Zealand Champions Trophy 2025
New Zealand’s Batting Brilliance Sets the Tone (Pakistan vs New Zealand Champions Trophy 2025)
Winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bat first, and despite a shaky start, they posted an imposing total of 320/5 in 50 overs.
Key Performances:
- Will Young’s Century: Young anchored the innings with a well-crafted 107 off 113 balls, smashing 12 fours and a six.
- Tom Latham’s Unbeaten Knock: The wicketkeeper-batsman played a crucial role, scoring an unbeaten 118 off 104 balls, ensuring a strong finish for the Kiwis.
- Glenn Phillips’ Quickfire 61: Phillips added fireworks with a 39-ball 61, propelling New Zealand past the 300-mark.
Despite early setbacks, these contributions helped the Black Caps dominate the first innings.
Pakistan’s Struggle in the Chase
Chasing 321, Pakistan had a rough start, losing key wickets early, which put them under immense pressure.
Top Contributions:
- Babar Azam’s Fighting 64: The Pakistan captain tried to stabilize the innings but lacked solid partnerships.
- Khushdil Shah’s Aggressive 69: His late surge (69 off 49 balls) provided some hope, but the asking rate was too high.
- Lower Order Collapse: With wickets falling at regular intervals, Pakistan was bundled out for 260 in 47.2 overs.
New Zealand’s Bowling Masterclass
The Kiwi bowlers displayed exceptional discipline and controlled the game from the start.
- Mitchell Santner (3/66): The skipper led from the front, taking crucial wickets, including Babar Azam.
- Will O’Rourke (3/47): His early breakthroughs dismantled Pakistan’s top order.
- Michael Bracewell (1/38): Maintained pressure with his tight spells, restricting Pakistan’s scoring opportunities.
Post-Match Reactions & Future Fixtures
Captain’s Take:
Pakistan’s skipper Mohammad Rizwan pointed out that injuries and ineffective death bowling cost them the match. He emphasized the need for a strong comeback in their next game against India.
Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner praised his team’s all-round performance, especially the batting partnerships that built a winning total.
Looking Ahead:
- New Zealand will take on Bangladesh next, hoping to maintain their momentum.
- Pakistan faces arch-rivals India, a must-win game for their Champions Trophy campaign.
Final Thoughts
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 started with a bang as New Zealand outplayed Pakistan with a complete team effort. With the tournament heating up, fans can expect more thrilling encounters in the coming days. Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth match analyses!