Pakistan’s opening match in the 2025 Champions Trophy was disappointing as New Zealand scored 320 for five, led by Will Young’s 107 and Tom Latham’s unbeaten 118. Despite a good start, with Pakistan’s Naseem Shah taking Kane Williamson’s wicket early, the Pakistani bowlers struggled to contain the Kiwi batsmen. Young and Latham put together a crucial 118-run partnership, while Glenn Phillips added quick runs towards the end with a 39-ball 61. Pakistan’s bowling lacked penetration, and they could not break key partnerships, facing challenges with their spin options. The match drew moderate crowds at the National Stadium.
Pakistan’s beginning in the Champions Trophy 2025 is certainly one to forget. The renowned bowling attack faced significant pressure as New Zealand’s opener Will Young and captain Tom Latham played fluent innings, guiding their team to a formidable score of 320 for five against the hosts and defending champions Pakistan in the tournament’s opener on Wednesday. Young delivered a crucial innings of 107 runs off 113 balls, while Latham finished unbeaten on 118. Glenn Phillips also contributed with a quick-fire 61 off just 39 balls to bolster the Kiwi total at the National Stadium. Young hit 12 fours and one six, while Latham remained steady throughout the innings with 10 boundaries and three sixes. Young anchored the innings after Pakistan chose to bowl first, putting New Zealand in a tough spot at 40 for two and later at 73 for three in the 17th over.
Emerging fast bowler Naseem Shah claimed the significant wicket of Kane Williamson, who was caught behind for a single-digit score, marking the first time in 35 ODI matches he has scored so low.
Returning to the side after an injury that sidelined him from the recently completed tri-series, Haris Rauf trapped Daryl Mitchell into miscuing a pull shot, putting the visitors in distress.
Opener Devon Conway was the first to be dismissed on a pitch that evidently provided some grip for the spinners, as Abrar Ahmed, introduced in the eighth over, utilized a carom ball to outsmart the left-handed batsman.
With three wickets down and few runs on the board, Young, who is playing due to Rachin Ravindra’s injury, steadied the innings in partnership with Latham, forming a 118-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Pakistan, relying on one specialist spinner, three pace bowlers, and two part-time spinners in Khushdil Shah and Salman Agha, simply lacked the cutting edge to break their partnership.
After Young fell while trying to accelerate following his fourth ODI century, Latham and Phillips attacked the Pakistani bowlers in the last 10 overs.
Latham, celebrated for his eighth ODI century, and Phillips clobbered Abrar and Haris for 32 runs during the 44th and 45th overs. In the 47th over, Shaheen Shah Afridi was hit for 18 runs. Mohammad Rizwan was seen consoling Abrar after he conceded 16 runs in one over to Tom Latham.
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Phillips, who got out in the final over attempting a reverse scoop off Haris, inflicted significant damage with four sixes and three fours.
Rauf turned out to be the most expensive bowler, letting 83 runs slip in his 10 overs while taking two wickets.
Earlier, President Asif Zardari officially opened the tournament, meeting both teams introduced by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi and ICC representatives.
The initial crowd attendance for the match was lower than expected, but as the weather improved, the stadium gradually filled with spectators eager to witness a major ICC event in the country for the first time since 1996.
With PTI inputs
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