KARACHI: In the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, New Zealand defeated the host team, Pakistan, by 60 runs.
New Zealand batted first and scored 320 runs for the loss of 5 wickets, setting Pakistan a target of 321 runs to win. However, in response, Pakistan managed to score only 166 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 36 overs.
The match took place at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, where Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat second.
New Zealand had a shaky start, with spinner Abrar Ahmed taking the first wicket by clean bowling Devon Conway, who scored just 10 runs out of a total of 39. In the next over, Naseem Shah dismissed Kane Williamson for a mere 1 run, caught behind by captain Mohammad Rizwan.
New Zealand suffered its third loss at a score of 73 when Daryl Mitchell, who scored 10 runs, was caught by Shaheen Shah Afridi off a delivery from Haris Rauf.
After losing the first three wickets early in the innings, New Zealand’s batting lineup stabilized with an essential partnership of 118 runs between Will Young and Tom Latham. Will Young played a stunning innings of 107 runs, including one six and 12 fours, before being dismissed.
For Pakistan, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah each took 2 wickets, while Mohammad Abrar contributed with 1 wicket.
Ultimately, New Zealand finished their innings at 320 runs for 5 wickets in 50 overs. In reply, Pakistan could only muster 166 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 36 overs.
