CT25: Young , Latham 100s help New Zealand to outplay hosts Pakistan in opening game

 

New Zealand confirmed their billing as one of the top pre tournament favourites as they outplayed Pakistan in the opening match of the Champions trophy 2025 at Karachi .

Pakistan suffered a disappointing defeat in their opening match of the Champions Trophy, failing to impress even on home soil against New Zealand. The defending champions looked directionless in all aspects of the game—batting, bowling, and fielding. New Zealand posted 320/5, and in response, Pakistan was bowled out for 260 in 47.2 overs. Mitchell Santner and his team secured a convincing 60-run victory.

Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to field, showing faith in his bowling attack. However, Pakistan’s pace trio—Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf—failed to trouble the New Zealand batters. When chasing 321, Babar Azam and his team started at a Test-match pace, scoring just 14/1 in the first seven overs. By the 10th over, Pakistan was struggling at 22/2, handing New Zealand a clear advantage.

Pakistan cricket is now a shadow of its glorious past. The aggressive mindset of Imran Khan’s era is missing from this team. Even with their key pacers returning from injuries, Shaheen and Naseem have lost some pace and sharpness. New Zealand batters Will Young, Tom Latham, and Glenn Phillips fully exploited this weakness. Devon Conway (10), Kane Williamson (1), and Daryl Mitchell (10) failed to score big, yet the Kiwis still reached 320, thanks to centuries from Young and Latham.

The Karachi pitch was not easy for batters, with variable bounce and swing on offer. Still, New Zealand’s batters dominated Pakistan’s pace attack. Opener Will Young played a composed knock of 107 off 113 balls, hitting 12 fours and a six. He absorbed the early pressure after losing two wickets and later built a crucial partnership with Tom Latham. Batting at No. 5, Latham played a responsible innings, remaining unbeaten on 118 off 104 balls, smashing 10 fours and 3 sixes. After Young’s dismissal, Phillips joined Latham and contributed 61 off 39 balls, hitting 3 fours and 4 sixes. The 118-run fourth-wicket partnership between Young and Latham and the 125-run stand between Latham and Phillips ensured New Zealand’s dominant position in the match.

Pakistan’s bowlers failed to justify Rizwan’s decision to bowl first. Shaheen went wicketless, conceding 68 runs in 10 overs. Naseem picked up 2 wickets but gave away 63 runs in 10 overs. Haris Rauf also claimed 2 wickets but was highly expensive, leaking 83 runs. Abrar Ahmed bowled well, taking 1 wicket for 47 runs, and he was the only bowler to provide an early breakthrough. However, Pakistan’s fielding also lacked sharpness.

Pakistan’s sluggish batting only worsened their situation in the chase. Adding to their troubles, Fakhar Zaman, who injured himself while fielding, could not open the innings. He later batted at No. 4 but struggled. Saud Shakeel opened with Babar Azam but managed just 6 off 19 balls. Rizwan, batting at No. 3, failed to shift the momentum, scoring only 3 off 14 balls. Fakhar, despite returning to bat, made 24 off 41 balls. Former captain Babar Azam tried to anchor the innings but struggled to accelerate. He scored 64 off 90 balls, hitting 6 fours and a six.

Salman Agha was the only batter who showed some fight, scoring an aggressive 42 off 28 balls with 6 fours and a six. However, the slow start had already put Pakistan in deep trouble. Tayyab Tahir (1) also failed, leaving the team with little hope. Khushdil Shah and Shaheen Afridi tried to resist towards the end, but their efforts were more entertaining than game-changing. Khushdil played a fighting knock of 69 off 49 balls, hitting 10 fours and a six, but his dismissal sealed Pakistan’s fate. Naseem (13) and Rauf (19) put up a brief resistance, but it was too little, too late.

New Zealand’s bowlers delivered a well-rounded performance. Will O’Rourke was the most successful, taking 3 wickets for 47 runs. Santner also claimed 3 wickets, conceding 66 runs. Matt Henry (2/25), Mitchell Bracewell (1/31), and Nathan Smith (1/31) contributed effectively to dismantling Pakistan’s batting lineup.

New Zealand’s dominant all-round display ensured a strong start to their Champions Trophy campaign, while Pakistan will need a drastic turnaround to stay in contention.