Pakistan Falls Short as New Zealand Secures 60-Run Win
News Desk
Karachi: New Zealand secured a commanding 60-run victory over Pakistan in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi, on Wednesday.
The win was powered by Will O’Rourke’s three-wicket haul and Mitchell Santner’s two crucial breakthroughs.
Chasing a formidable target of 321 runs, Pakistan fell short, getting bowled out for 260 in 47.4 overs, despite fighting half-centuries from Babar Azam and Khushdil Shah.
Pakistan’s chase started on a disastrous note, with skipper Mohammad Rizwan (3) and Saud Shakeel (6) departing early, leaving the team struggling at 22/2 in the first 10 overs. Fakhar Zaman attempted to stabilize the innings alongside Babar Azam, but their partnership only added 47 runs before Michael Bracewell dismissed Fakhar for 24 off 41 balls in the 21st over.
Vice-captain Salman Ali Agha contributed a quickfire 42-run knock but fell to Nathan Smith in the 31st over. Pakistan then lost two more key wickets in quick succession, including the dismissal of Babar Azam, who played a cautious 64-run innings off 90 balls, hitting six fours and a six.
At 153/6 in 34 overs, Pakistan’s hopes dwindled. However, Khushdil Shah provided a late spark, smashing 69 runs off 49 deliveries with 10 boundaries and a six. His resistance ended in the 44th over when Will O’Rourke struck again, leaving Pakistan just two wickets away from defeat.
Tailenders Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah put up a brief fight, but their efforts were not enough to rescue the home side. O’Rourke and Santner claimed three wickets each, while Matt Henry picked up two for New Zealand.
New Zealand’s Dominant Batting Performance
Earlier, after being sent in to bat, New Zealand posted an imposing 320/5 in 50 overs, thanks to a game-changing fourth-wicket partnership between Will Young and Tom Latham.
The Blackcaps suffered an early setback when Abrar Ahmed bowled Devon Conway (10) in the eighth over. Pakistan’s pacers then struck twice, with Naseem Shah dismissing Kane Williamson (1) and Haris Rauf removing Daryl Mitchell (10), reducing New Zealand to 73/3 in 16.2 overs.
From there, wicketkeeper-batter Latham joined Young, and the duo steadied the innings with a 118-run stand for the fourth wicket. Naseem Shah eventually broke the partnership in the 38th over, dismissing Young for a well-crafted 107 off 113 balls, featuring 12 fours and a six.
Latham, however, remained unbeaten, anchoring New Zealand’s innings with a superb 118 off 104 deliveries, which included 10 fours and three sixes. He was well-supported by Glenn Phillips, who provided the finishing touch with a blistering 61 off 39 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes.
For Pakistan, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf claimed two wickets each, while Abrar Ahmed took one.
With this victory, New Zealand start their Champions Trophy campaign on a high note, while Pakistan will look to bounce back in their upcoming fixtures.
