Will Young and Tom Latham led New Zealand to a decisive 60-run victory over Pakistan in the Champions Trophy opener in Karachi, scoring 107 and 118 runs, respectively. New Zealand posted 320 for five, with Glenn Phillips contributing a rapid 61 runs. Pakistan’s response was lackluster, finishing at 260 all out, with Babar Azam as the top scorer at 64. The top-order batters’ cautious approach hindered their performance, despite Khushdil Shah’s aggressive 69. New Zealand’s bowlers, particularly William O’Rourke and Mitchell Santer, effectively limited the Pakistani batters, sealing the win and marking their third victory over Pakistan in two weeks.
Will Young and Tom Latham delivered outstanding centuries as New Zealand continued their recent supremacy over hosts Pakistan, securing a convincing 60-run victory in the Champions Trophy opener in Karachi on Wednesday. Young produced a crucial innings of 107 runs from 113 balls, while Latham remained not out on 118 off 104 balls, guiding the Black Caps to a total of 320 for five after Pakistan chose to bowl first. Glenn Phillips contributed significantly with a rapid 61 runs from 39 balls, helping New Zealand surpass the 300-run threshold after a rocky start.
The Pakistani top-order, featuring Babar Azam (64 off 90), Mohammed Rizwan (3 off 14), and Saud Shakeel (6 off 19), adopted a cautious approach that ultimately proved detrimental, resulting in their innings ending at 260 all out in 47.2 overs.
Fakhar Zaman (24 off 41) batted at number four after spending a considerable part of the New Zealand innings off the field due to an injury scare.
New Zealand’s victory marked their third over Pakistan in less than two weeks, following two wins against the Rizwan-led side in the preceding tri-series.
The only silver lining for the defending champions Pakistan ahead of their upcoming clash against India was the performance of the lower-order batsmen, with Khushdil Shah exploding for 69 runs off 49 balls. Salman Agha also demonstrated aggression with his 42 off 28 balls, yet the top-order lacked that same urgency.
The New Zealand pacers and spinners bowled with precision, restricting the opposition batters effectively. Notable performances came from pacer William O’Rourke (3/47) and Mitchell Santer (3/66).
Earlier in the innings, Young struck 12 fours and a six, while Latham, who batted through the innings, hit 10 boundaries and three maximums, setting a formidable total for New Zealand.
Young anchored the innings after Pakistan opted to field first, with New Zealand struggling at 40 for two and then 73 for three in the 17th over.
Fast bowler Naseem Shah claimed the crucial wicket of Kane Williamson, who was dismissed for a single digit score for the first time in his last 35 ODI appearances.
Returning to the squad after an injury absence in the recently concluded tri-series, Haris Rauf induced Daryl Mitchell to mistime a pull shot, further jeopardizing the visitors’ position.
Opener Devon Conway was the first wicket to fall, with the pitch visibly providing some assistance to the spinners, as Abrar Ahmed, who was introduced in the eighth over, deceived the southpaw with a carom ball.
As New Zealand languished with three wickets down and few runs on the board, Young, who was included in the team due to an injury to Rachin Ravindra, partnered with Latham to stabilize their position, adding 118 runs for the fourth wicket.
Pakistan, with just one specialist spinner, three pace bowlers, and two part-time spinners in Khushdil and Agha, struggled to penetrate the partnership.
After Young’s dismissal while attempting to accelerate following his fourth one-day hundred, Latham and Phillips counterattacked against the Pakistani bowlers in the final ten overs.
Latham, now with his eighth ODI century, and Phillips unleashed on Abrar and Haris, scoring 32 runs in the 44th and 45th overs. In the 47th over, Shaheen Shah Afridi was hit for 18 runs.
Phillips, who fell in the last over to Haris while attempting a reverse scoop, inflicted maximum damage with four sixes and three fours.
Rauf emerged as the most expensive bowler, conceding 83 runs in his ten overs while taking two wickets.
Before the match commenced, President Asif Zardari inaugurated the tournament, being introduced to both teams by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi and ICC officials.
The initial crowd turnout 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.
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