Karachi, February 19, 2025: Pakistan’s lackluster bowling and fragile batting lineup led to a 60-run defeat against New Zealand in the opening match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 at the National Bank Stadium. Despite early breakthroughs, Pakistan’s bowlers failed to sustain pressure, while the batting order collapsed under a steep chase.
After being asked to bowl first, Pakistan’s attack failed to capitalize on a promising start, allowing New Zealand to post a commanding 320/5 in 50 overs.
Spinner Abrar Ahmed provided an early breakthrough by dismissing Devon Conway (10), and pacers Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf removed Kane Williamson (1) and Daryl Mitchell (10), leaving New Zealand struggling at 73/3 in the 17th over.
However, Pakistan’s bowlers lost control in the middle overs, as Will Young (107 off 113) and Tom Latham (118 off 104) built a dominant 118-run partnership. The bowlers struggled with accuracy and variation, failing to break key stands as Latham anchored the innings with an unbeaten century.
Pakistan’s woes deepened in the death overs when Glenn Phillips smashed 61 off just 39 balls, capitalizing on poor death bowling to push New Zealand past the 320-run mark.
Naseem and Rauf took two wickets each, while Abrar claimed one, but none of the bowlers managed to contain the run flow.
Chasing 321, Pakistan’s innings unraveled early, slipping to 22/2 in the first 10 overs as captain Mohammad Rizwan (3) and Saud Shakeel (6) fell cheaply.
Babar Azam (64 off 90) and Fakhar Zaman (24 off 41) attempted to rebuild, but Fakhar’s dismissal in the 21st over halted momentum. Vice-captain Salman Ali Agha (42) played a quick cameo, but wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals, reducing Pakistan to 153/6 in the 34th over.
Despite a late counterattack from Khushdil Shah (69 off 49), who struck 10 boundaries and a six, Pakistan’s lower order failed to provide support. The team was bowled out for 260 in the 48th over, falling well short of the target.
New Zealand’s bowlers executed their plans to perfection, with Mitchell Santner and Will O’Rourke taking three wickets each, while Matt Henry chipped in with two.
New Zealand’s Tom Latham was declared man of the match for his brilliant knock of 118.
