New Zealand thrash Pakistan in Champions Trophy 2025 opener

Will Young and Tom Latham's centuries, along with a strong collective bowling effort, led New Zealand to a commanding 60-run victory over Pakistan in the opening match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.

Chasing a formidable target of 321 runs, the home side could only muster 260 runs before being bowled out in the 48th over, despite significant contributions from Babar Azam and Khushdil Shah, both of whom scored half-centuries.

Pakistan's innings got off to a rocky start, quickly slipping to 22 for 2 within the first 10 overs, with captain Mohammad Rizwan (three) and Saud Shakeel (six) dismissed for low scores.

Following this difficult beginning, Fakhar Zaman partnered with Babar in an effort to stabilize the innings. However, the pair could only add 47 runs before Fakhar was dismissed by Michael Bracewell in the 21st over, having scored 24 runs off 41 balls, which included four boundaries.

Read more: "McDonalds, KFC Wale": Shahid Afridi slams players for no aggression in Indo-Pak rivalry

Vice-captain Salman Ali Agha then sought to initiate a counterattack, scoring a brisk 42 runs before being dismissed by Nathan Smith in the 31st over.

Pakistan's predicament worsened as they lost two more wickets in quick succession, including that of their key batsman Babar Azam, leaving them at 153 for 6 after 34 overs. Babar managed a measured 64 runs off 90 balls, featuring six fours and a six.

Coming in at number seven, Khushdil Shah aggressively targeted the New Zealand bowlers, amassing 69 runs off just 49 balls, which included 10 fours and a six, before being dismissed in the 44th over by Will O’Rourke, leaving New Zealand just two wickets away from victory.

Although tailenders Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah showed some resistance, their efforts were insufficient to secure a win for their team.

For New Zealand, Mitchell Santner and O’Rourke each claimed three wickets, while Matt Henry added two wickets to the tally.

Batting first, the Blackcaps posted a total of 320 for 5 in their 50 overs, largely due to a pivotal fourth-wicket partnership between Young and Latham. For Pakistan, Naseem and Rauf each claimed two wickets, with Abrar Ahmed also contributing.