New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 60 runs in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener on Wednesday. Will Young and Tom Latham played crucial roles in guiding New Zealand to a strong total. Young scored 107 off 113 balls, while Latham finished unbeaten on 118 off 104 balls. As a result, New Zealand posted 320 for five after Pakistan decided to bowl first.
Additionally, Glenn Phillips contributed with a quick 61 off 39 balls. His aggressive knock helped New Zealand recover from a difficult start.
Pakistan’s Top Order Struggles
On the other hand, Pakistan’s top-order batsmen failed to perform. Babar Azam was the only one who stood firm, scoring 64 off 90 balls. However, Mohammed Rizwan (3 off 14) and Saud Shakeel (6 off 19) were unable to make an impact. Consequently, Pakistan was all out for 260 in 47.2 overs.
Moreover, Fakhar Zaman, who had been off the field due to an injury scare, returned to bat at number four. He made a brief contribution of 24 off 41 balls.
New Zealand’s Bowling Dominates
In contrast, New Zealand’s bowlers put on an excellent performance. William O’Rourke (3/47) and Mitchell Santner (3/66) were particularly impressive. They kept the pressure on Pakistan, not allowing them to get away with easy runs.
Young and Latham Steady the Ship
At the start, New Zealand found themselves in trouble at 40 for two and 73 for three. Kane Williamson was dismissed early, and Daryl Mitchell followed him soon after. Devon Conway was also dismissed early, as the spinners gained grip on the pitch. However, Young and Latham steadied the innings, putting together a solid 118-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Importantly, Young, who was playing in place of the injured Rachin Ravindra, played the anchor role. He made 107 runs before being dismissed. Latham, meanwhile, continued his steady knock and helped push the score along, eventually finishing unbeaten.
Phillips Powers New Zealand in Final Overs
As the match progressed, Latham and Phillips shifted gears. They took advantage of Pakistan’s tired bowlers, with 32 runs coming off Abrar Ahmed and Haris Rauf in the 44th and 45th overs. Furthermore, in the 47th over, Shaheen Afridi was hammered for 18 runs. Phillips, who contributed four sixes and three fours, fell in the final over for 61.
Pakistan’s Lower Order Fights Back
Despite the loss, Pakistan’s lower-order batsmen showed some fight. Khushdil Shah’s 69 off 49 balls and Salman Agha’s 42 off 28 balls provided some hope. However, the lack of urgency from the top-order ultimately cost them the game.
Historic Moment for Pakistan
Before the match began, President Asif Zardari officially opened the tournament. He met both teams alongside PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi and ICC officials. Although the crowd was small at the start, the weather improved, and more spectators filled the stadium as the match went on. This marked the first major ICC event in Pakistan since 1996.