In the opening PAK vs NZ match of the 2025 Champions Trophy between New Zealand and Pakistan, the Kiwis won by 60 runs at Karachi Stadium. New Zealand’s convincing performance, headed by a masterful century by Will Young, coupled with exceptional efforts from their bowlers, including William O’Rourke’s stellar 3-wicket haul, easily defeated Pakistan. In spite of a gallant try by Babar Azam, Pakistan had both their batting and fielding in disarray, which eventually contributed to their second loss in the tournament.
Champions Trophy: New Zealand’s Solid Batting Despite Initial Woes
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New Zealand were dealt an early blow when they lost their first three batsmen—Devon Conway, Mitchell, and Kane Williamson—early in the innings. Will Young, however, stood firm, facing Pakistan’s pace bowling and spin options with aplomb. Young, who had not yet scored a century in an ICC tournament, scored a brilliant 107 runs from 113 balls, comprising 12 boundaries and a six. This was his fourth ODI century.
As part of the pair, Young and Young, Young, together with Latham’s support, steadied the ship as well by providing a healthy run rate throughout the middle overs. They saved the innings and played an uneventful but very effective partnership when the main wickets went down in a row during early times.
This set New Zealand up well towards a massive score. Even as Young fell later, Glenn Phillips and Latham still went ahead to continue getting runs and get New Zealand an amazing 320/8 after 50 overs.
The final 10 overs of New Zealand’s innings proved to be the most fruitful, with the team adding 113 runs. They took advantage of the flat Karachi pitch, which provided ample support to the batsmen. This late push really made a difference in leaving Pakistan with a daunting target.
Pakistan’s Struggles: Lack of Intent and Early Wickets
Pakistan’s run chase was slow to get underway, with Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam taking on the responsibility of opening. Fakhar Zaman was supposed to open with Babar but was out with a chronic back injury. Shakeel’s start was not good, and he was caught out off a bouncer by O’Rourke. Rizwan didn’t last much longer, being sent packing by a one-handed spectacular catch at point by Glenn Phillips.
Fakhar Zaman, in spite of his injury, took his opportunities and tried to play boundaries to maintain pace with the increasing required run rate. But he was not able to read New Zealand’s spinners, who were getting turns and bounces from the surface. Fakhar was finally got out by Michael Bracewell after a dropped catch in the early part of the innings by Conway gave him a temporary reprieve. Pakistan’s top-order troubles were further exacerbated as Babar Azam, the backbone of the team, was sent back for 64 off 90 balls by Mitchell Santner.
Middle and Lower Order Fightback: Khushdil Shah and Agha’s Contributions
As Pakistan wobbled, the middle and lower order tried to resuscitate the innings. Agha Salman’s 42 in 28 deliveries included six boundaries and one six.
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But Khushdil Shah’s innings were the ones that provided Pakistan with the most hope. Shah’s impressive innings saw him amassing a total of 69 runs from 49 deliveries at a strike rate of 140. During his supremely explosive innings, he smashed ten sixes and one four. His efforts were not enough, as Pakistan’s chase faltered, leading them to be bowled out for 260.
New Zealand’s Bowling Brilliance: O’Rourke and Henry Lead the Way
New Zealand’s bowlers executed their plans well, building pressure from the start and never allowing Pakistan to get comfortable. William O’Rourke, despite being unlucky not to claim a wicket, provided great control and rhythm. He took 3 wickets, two of them in the early overs of Pakistan’s chase, and was instrumental in restricting the opposition.
Matt Henry was the highest wicket-taker for his side, helping his attack to an economy rate of 3.40. He pounced on Pakistan’s middle-order collapse, putting the team on the back foot. O’Rourke had a significant hand in the player, building up the pressure on Pakistani batsmen and snapping up those wickets, therefore changing the momentum in crucial situations.
The quarter was spin-friendly, with Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell manageable to find constant pressure on Pakistan’s batting line-up. Particularly impressive was that Santner, where he took three wickets, earned the most notable one of Babar Azam. Caught by Kane Williamson in the circle off a slower ball. Bracewell also pigeonholed in the mix with the wicket of Fakhar Zaman and was thus notched good figures of 1 for an economy rate of 3.80.
A Complete Team Performance From New Zealand
It was a complete team performance as New Zealand proved why they are rated among the best teams in world cricket. Their bowlers tore apart Pakistan’s top order with ease, and while they lost some wickets in the middle of their innings, Will Young’s century and the late-order hitting from Glenn Phillips and Tom Latham ensured that they posted a daunting target.
The Kiwis’ fielding was excellent, and Glenn Phillips’ incredible catch was the pick of the game.
Pakistan, however, struggled with the bat as well as in the field. Their top order got dismissed too early, and though Babar Azam, Khushdil Shah, and Salman Agha tried their best, they were never in the game. Their fielding also failed them at the right moments, with dropped catches and misfields costing them the game.
New Zealand’s Clinical Win in Champions Trophy
New Zealand’s overall performance, led by Will Young’s century and their bowlers’ excellence, saw them clinch the first match of the Champions Trophy 2025 by a comprehensive 60 runs. The Kiwis showed depth in their team with a middle-order contribution after the early collapse, which was really commendable. For Pakistan, this was a low-key start to their campaign with issues getting in the way of batting and fielding, and so sorting things out is over before the next game in the tournament.
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