New Zealand Records Most Runs Against Pakistan in a Champions Trophy Match, Breaks India’s Record
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy got off to a thrilling start with the opening match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. In a high-scoring encounter, the Black Caps put up a massive total of 320/5, shattering the previous record for the highest total against Pakistan in the tournament. This impressive display of batting prowess not only propelled New Zealand to a strong position but also broke India’s record of 319/3, which was set in a group stage match against Pakistan in the 2017 edition.
New Zealand’s Tom Latham and Will Young, making their Champions Trophy debuts, played pivotal roles in their team’s success. The duo shared a 160-run partnership for the second wicket, with Latham scoring 92 off 95 balls and Young contributing 89 off 101 balls. Their partnership laid the foundation for New Zealand’s massive total, which was built upon by the middle order batsmen.
This impressive performance by New Zealand’s batsmen was a testament to their preparation and strategy. The team’s coach, Gary Stead, emphasized the importance of getting a good start in the match. “We knew that getting off to a good start would be crucial, especially on a pitch that was expected to slow down as the game progressed,” Stead said in a post-match interview. “Our openers did a fantastic job, and Tom and Will’s partnership was the highlight of our innings.”
Pakistan’s bowlers, on the other hand, struggled to contain the New Zealand batsmen. The hosts’ pace bowling attack, led by Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Afridi, failed to make an impact, conceding runs at a rate of over 6 an over. The spinners, Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan, were also unable to control the flow of runs, allowing the New Zealand batsmen to dominate the proceedings.
Pakistan’s chase, however, was cut short due to a poor start. The hosts’ top order batsmen, Fakhar Zaman and Abid Ali, were dismissed cheaply, leaving the team struggling at 45/2. Despite a resilient effort from the middle order batsmen, Pakistan ultimately fell short of the target, finishing their innings at 275/9.
This victory was a significant one for New Zealand, not only because it gave them a winning start to the tournament but also because it broke India’s record of 319/3, which had stood for eight years. The Indian team, which had set this record in the 2017 Champions Trophy, had been a dominant force in the tournament, winning the title twice in the last three editions. New Zealand’s victory, therefore, sent out a strong message that they were a force to be reckoned with in the tournament.
In the post-match presentation, New Zealand’s captain, Kane Williamson, praised his team’s batting performance. “It was a fantastic team effort, and we’re thrilled to have got off to a good start,” Williamson said. “The way our batsmen played was exceptional, and it was great to see Tom and Will making their debuts in style.”
Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, on the other hand, lamented his team’s poor start. “We didn’t get off to a good start, and that put us under pressure for the rest of the innings,” Azam said. “We need to work on our batting and improve our performance in the next match.”
As the teams prepare to face each other again in the tournament, New Zealand will be looking to build on their winning momentum, while Pakistan will be seeking to correct their mistakes and bounce back stronger. The Champions Trophy is shaping up to be an exciting tournament, and this opening match has set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling competition.
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