- Advertisement -
KARACHI, Feb 19 (APP):New Zealand grabbed a 60-run victory against Pakistan in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy-2025 played at the National Bank Stadium here on Wednesday.
Pakistani batters struggled to stabilise their side as New Zealand bowlers kept failing hosts’ bid to chase a massive 321-run target with the help of centuries by Will Young and Tom Latham.
Pakistan team lost 6 wickets with the dismissal of Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha, and well-set Babar Azam after the host crossed the score of 150 runs.
Vice captain Salman Agha showed some resistance by scoring 42 runs of 28 balls, however, he was caught by Bracewell during Nathan Smith’s over.
After Agha’s dismissal, Tayyab Tahir came to the crease, but he could score only one run dismissed by Mitchell Santner in 32nd over. Santner also got the important wicket of Babar Azam who scored 64 off 90 balls, further shrinking the chances of the host to chase the target.
Alongside Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi added 14 runs to the scoreboard, however, he fell prey to Matt Henry in 41st over.
Earlier, New Zealand struck early against Pakistan as Will O’Rourke sent opener Saud Shakeel (6) and skipper Mohammad Rizwan (3) back to the pavilion.
Put into bat first, the New Zealand team registered 320/5 on the board in 50 overs, thanks to a match-defining fourth-wicket partnership between Young and Latham.
Young dismissed after scoring 107 off 113 deliveries while Latham scored unbeaten 118 off 104 deliveries. He was declared as man of the match.
Another Kiwi batsman Phillips made 61 off 39 deliveries and played important role in their team’s victory.
President Asif Ali Zardari and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari attended the opening match as the chief guests.
The event also featured an aerial display by the Pakistan Air Force’s Sherdil Squadron.
The eight-team tournament will be played across three venues in Pakistan – Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi – as well as in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 19 February to 9 March.