Will Young and Tom Latham Shine as New Zealand Triumphs
New Zealand kicked off their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with an emphatic 60-run victory over Pakistan at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. Centuries from Will Young and Tom Latham, combined with a strong bowling display, secured the win for the Blackcaps.
Pakistan Falls Short in 321-Run Chase
Chasing a challenging 321-run target, Pakistan struggled to keep up with the required run rate and were bowled out for 260 in 48 overs. Despite resilient knocks from Babar Azam and Khushdil Shah, the home side fell short.
Early Setback for Pakistan
Pakistan’s innings got off to a disastrous start as they lost two wickets within the first 10 overs. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan (3) and Saud Shakeel (6) departed early, leaving Pakistan reeling at 22/2.
Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam attempted to stabilize the innings, adding 47 runs. However, Fakhar (24 off 41) fell to Michael Bracewell in the 21st over.
Babar Azam’s Fighting Half-Century
Vice-captain Salman Ali Agha provided a brief fightback with a quick 42-run cameo but was dismissed by Nathan Smith in the 31st over. Pakistan suffered another blow as Babar Azam, who scored a patient 64 off 90 balls, was dismissed, reducing them to 153/6 in 34 overs.
Khushdil Shah’s Late Heroics
Coming in at number seven, Khushdil Shah launched a counterattack. His 49-ball 69, featuring 10 fours and a six, gave Pakistan a glimmer of hope. However, he was dismissed in the 44th over by Will O’Rourke, leaving Pakistan on the brink of defeat.
Lower-order contributions from Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah were not enough to turn the tide, as New Zealand’s bowlers wrapped up the innings efficiently.
New Zealand’s Bowling Dominates
Mitchell Santner and Will O’Rourke led the bowling attack with three wickets each. Matt Henry also made an impact, securing two dismissals to restrict Pakistan’s batting lineup.
New Zealand Posts Formidable 320/5
After being put to bat first, New Zealand set an imposing total of 320/5 in 50 overs. The innings was anchored by a game-changing 118-run partnership between Young and Latham.
Pakistan Strikes Early
New Zealand faced early trouble as Abrar Ahmed bowled out Devon Conway (10) in the eighth over. Further setbacks followed when Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf dismissed Kane Williamson (1) and Daryl Mitchell (10), reducing New Zealand to 73/3 in 16.2 overs.
Will Young and Tom Latham’s Centuries
Latham joined Young at the crease, and the duo took control of the innings with a commanding fourth-wicket stand. Young played a brilliant knock of 107 off 113 balls, hitting 12 fours and a six before falling to Naseem Shah in the 38th over.
Latham remained unbeaten with a match-winning 118 off 104 balls, smashing 10 fours and three sixes.
Glenn Phillips Provides the Finishing Touch
Glenn Phillips added the finishing flourish with a blistering 61 off 39 balls, which included three fours and four sixes. His quickfire innings pushed New Zealand past the 320-run mark.
Pakistan’s Bowling Efforts
Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf claimed two wickets each, while Abrar Ahmed managed one. Despite their efforts, Pakistan’s bowling attack struggled to contain New Zealand’s aggressive batting lineup.
Conclusion
New Zealand’s comprehensive performance in both batting and bowling secured a dominant 60-run victory over Pakistan. With this win, they have made a strong statement in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan, on the other hand, will need to regroup and bounce back in their next match to keep their campaign alive.
Khalid Javed is a distinguished journalist and the esteemed Editor of Daily Olympic, a prominent publication in Pakistan. With a career marked by dedication and excellence, Khalid has established himself as a well-known figure in the field of journalism, earning respect for his insightful reporting and editorial expertise. His work at Daily Olympic reflects his commitment to delivering accurate, timely, and impactful news, particularly in the realm of sports and beyond. Khalid’s contributions to the media landscape in Pakistan have not only informed the public but also inspired aspiring journalists. His passion for journalism and his ability to navigate complex stories with clarity and integrity have made him a trusted voice in the industry.