The Dark horses aka New Zealand (NZ) emerged as comfortable victors over Pakistan (PAK) in the curtain-raiser of the Champions Trophy 2025, winning the game by 60 runs at the National Stadium, in Karachi.
A positive start by the tourists faced a brief hindrance after the dismissal of Devon Conway and Kane Williamson within a short span of time. However, a couple of tons from Will Young and Tom Latham and a quickfire 61 by Glenn Phillps led New Zealand to 320/5 in their quota. Abrar Ahmed was the most economical bowler, ending up with figures of 1/47.
In reply, Pakistan started off too slowly with their batting during the powerplay phase. They only scored 22 runs, losing two wickets in the process. This severely put them behind in the game. Babar Azam’s half-century and Salman Agha’s brisk 42 was not enough. Khushdil Shah top-scored with 69 and kept the Kiwi fielders on their toes. He registered a career-best ODI score of 69. However, it was not meant to be for the home side.
Talking Points from Match 1 of Champions Trophy 2025:
1. Will Young revives ODI form with splendid ton
Young was going through a lean patch in the buildup of the tournament. However, he turned his fortunes with a scintillating ton which comprised 12 fours and a maximum. This was his first ODI ton in overseas conditions.
2. Pakistan’s death bowling woes continue
Despite restricting the Black Caps well by the 40-over mark, the Pakistani unit lost the plot in the final 10 overs of the innings. In addition to some superlative power-hitting, the pacers missed their lengths way too often to get smacked for 113 runs.
3. Michael Bracewell’s brilliance files under the radar
The off-spinning all-rounder put in yet another economical shift with the ball. Bracewell limited the batters commendably well, something he has been doing consistently for the past many games. He ended up conceding only 38 runs in his 10-over quota.
Also Check: Twitter Reactions: Young, Latham centuries flattens Pakistan as New Zealand win in Champions Trophy opener
Who Said What?
Losing skipper, Mohammed Rizwan
They made a good target, we didn’t expect that. We were looking at something around 260. We tried our best and used all tactics, but they played well and put up a good target. We see the pitch conditions, earlier the pitch wasn’t easy to bat but when Will Young and Latham got together batted it got easier. At the end, we made the same mistake like we did in Lahore and they made a good target. We didn’t get a good start with the bat. (On the extent of injury to Fakhar Zaman) Not sure yet, he hasn’t got his result yet. He is in some pain. We lost the momentum twice – once while bowling in the death and then while batting in the powerplay. It is disappointing for us, we played it like a normal match. The match is gone now and hopefully we can do better in the rest.
Winning skipper, Mitchell Santner
Pleased with the way we went about it. Pakistan bowled well, so in the middle stage when Latham and Young could build a partnership that was great, they scored a few boundaries as well. And then GP came out and smashed it around. We were targetting around 260, but glad we could get more in the death overs. After the score we got, we were brilliant in the first 10 overs, and then we could put the squeeze in, keep that run rate pressure on them and get wickets. (On the Phillips catch) We kind of expect that from him now, and getting Rizwan out was a massive wicket. (On the importance of the previous tri-series) Understanding the conditions and the opposition was crucial. You have to hit a slightly shorter length out here and for spinners, it is about bowling slower. This win shows if we can do the hard yards with the bat, then we can carry on with the ball and put the squeeze on the opposition.
Player of the Match, Tom Latham
Yeah, certainly helps when you played on a surface before. Felt nice to contribute, Will Young played exceptionally and then to get to 320 was just brilliant. When I came in, it was about building a partnership. We could do that and then improve the run rate, and then GP came in and played an exceptional hand once again. Gave us the momentum to get through to the second innings. At the back end, you want to get as many as you can. Glad we could today. There was a lack of dew today so the ball turned quite a bit, it was better to bowl second with conditions like that.
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