In the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, New Zealand secured a convincing 60-run victory over hosts Pakistan.
Chasing a target of 321 runs, the Pakistani team was bowled out for 260 in the 48th over.
Earlier, in the match played at Karachi’s National Stadium, Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to field first.
Batting first, New Zealand posted a formidable total of 320/5 in their allotted 50 overs.
Pakistan got their first breakthrough when Abrar Ahmed dismissed Devon Conway for 10 runs at a team total of 39. Fast bowler Naseem Shah then sent Kane Williamson back to the pavilion for just 1 run, with Mohammad Rizwan taking the catch behind the stumps.
Haris Rauf claimed the third wicket, dismissing Daryl Mitchell for 10 runs. Will Young played a stellar knock, scoring 107 runs before being dismissed by Naseem Shah. Glenn Phillips contributed a quickfire 61 off 39 balls before falling to Haris Rauf.
Tom Latham remained unbeaten with a brilliant 118-run knock, which included three sixes and ten fours.
For Pakistan, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf picked up two wickets each.
Pakistan’s Struggle in the Chase
The national team had a slow start while chasing. The first batter to be dismissed was Saud Shakeel, who managed just 6 runs. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan followed soon after, scoring only 3 runs as Pakistan lost their second wicket at 22 runs.
The third wicket fell at 69 when Fakhar Zaman departed for 24. Agha Salman tried to put up some resistance but was dismissed after scoring 42 off 28 balls.
Tayyab Tahir was dismissed cheaply for 1, while Babar Azam, who played a steady innings of 64 off 90 balls, was out at a total of 153.
Pakistan’s seventh wicket fell at 200 when Shaheen Afridi was dismissed for 14. Khushdil Shah played an aggressive knock, scoring 69 off 49 balls before being dismissed.
The ninth wicket fell at 260 when Haris Rauf was out for 19, followed by Naseem Shah, who managed 13 runs.
For New Zealand, Mitchell Santner and Will O’Rourke took three wickets each, while Matt Henry claimed two wickets. Michael Bracewell and Nathan Smith took one wicket each.
Tom Latham was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 118-run innings, which included three sixes and ten fours.
Notably, this is the first ICC event being held in Pakistan after 29 years.