Karachi, February 19, 2025: New Zealand set a formidable target of 321 runs for Pakistan in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi, on Wednesday. Centuries from Will Young and Tom Latham powered the Blackcaps to a competitive total of 320/5 in their allotted 50 overs.
Opting to bat first, New Zealand faced early setbacks as Pakistan’s bowlers struck quickly. Mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed provided the first breakthrough, clean-bowling Devon Conway (10) in the eighth over. Pacer Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf soon followed up with crucial dismissals, removing skipper Kane Williamson (1) and Daryl Mitchell (10), reducing the visitors to 73/3 in 16.2 overs.
With New Zealand under pressure, wicketkeeper-batter Latham joined Young at the crease, and the duo staged a remarkable recovery. They stitched together a crucial 118-run partnership for the fourth wicket, stabilizing the innings and putting the Blackcaps back in control.
Young played a fluent knock, scoring 107 off 113 deliveries, including 12 fours and a six, before Naseem Shah ended his innings in the 38th over. Latham, however, stood firm and carried his bat, finishing unbeaten on 118 off 104 balls with 10 fours and three sixes.
Adding firepower to the total, Glenn Phillips smashed a rapid 61 off just 39 deliveries, featuring three fours and four sixes, propelling New Zealand past the 320-run mark.
For Pakistan, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf claimed two wickets each, while Abrar Ahmed chipped in with one.
The opening match of the tournament was graced by President Asif Ali Zardari and First Lady Aseefa Bhutto Zardari as chief guests. The event also featured an aerial display by the Pakistan Air Force’s Sherdil Squadron.
The eight-team tournament is being hosted across three venues in Pakistan—Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi—as well as in Dubai, UAE, from February 19 to March 9. The excitement among cricket fans is at its peak as Pakistan hosts an ICC event for the first time in 29 years, the last being the 1996 Cricket World Cup, where Sri Lanka defeated Australia in the final at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
