NZ Defeat Pakistan in Champions Trophy 2025 Opener, Extend Their 100% Win Record
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 got off to a thrilling start as New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 60 runs in the opening match at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday. The Kiwis, led by their impressive batting display, extended their 100% win record against Pakistan in the tournament to four matches.
New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat first, with openers Will Young and Tom Latham setting the tone for the innings with a magnificent partnership. The duo put on 220 runs for the first wicket, with Young scoring 124 off 125 balls and Latham contributing 105 off 115 balls. Their partnership was a testament to the Kiwis’ solid batting lineup, which has been a key factor in their success in recent times.
Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to contain the New Zealand openers, with the pace duo of Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Wasim going for 64 runs in their 10 overs combined. The Pakistani spinners, led by Shadab Khan, also failed to make an impact, conceding 74 runs in their 10 overs.
In response, Pakistan’s batting lineup fell apart, with only three batsmen reaching double figures. Captain Babar Azam top-scored with 45 off 50 balls, but his efforts were in vain as the rest of the team struggled to cope with the Kiwi bowlers. Trent Boult, the experienced New Zealand fast bowler, was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3/32 in his 8 overs.
New Zealand’s bowling attack was well-balanced, with the pace trio of Boult, Tim Southee, and Lockie Ferguson sharing six wickets between them. The spinners, led by Mitchell Santner, also chipped in, taking three wickets.
Pakistan’s chase was marked by a lack of partnerships, with the team collapsing from 60/1 to 120/9. The innings ended on 160, 60 runs short of the target.
With this win, New Zealand have now extended their 100% win record against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy to four matches. The Kiwis have been dominant in the tournament, winning all four matches they have played against Pakistan.
The win also marked a successful start to the tournament for New Zealand, who are looking to make a deep run in the competition. Pakistan, on the other hand, will need to regroup and reassess their strategy ahead of their next match against India on Saturday.
The match was a thrilling start to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, and fans are eagerly waiting to see what the rest of the tournament has in store. With some of the world’s best teams competing in the tournament, the next few weeks are sure to be filled with exciting cricket.
