New Zealand got off to a flying start in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as they registered a convincing 60-run victory over Pakistan in the opening match of Group A at the National Stadium. Riding on splendid centuries from Will Young and Tom Latham, the Blackcaps set a daunting target of 321, which proved too steep for the hosts despite a late fightback from Khushdil Shah.
Will Young and Tom Latham lead New Zealand’s charge
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Pakistan struck early as Naseem Shah dismissed Devon Conway (10) and Kane Williamson (1) cheaply. However, Young held firm and anchored the innings with a well-crafted 107 off 113 balls. His innings was laced with 12 boundaries and a six, ensuring New Zealand recovered from the early jolts.
Latham then took charge, playing a captain’s knock of 118 off 104 balls. His fluent strokeplay, which included 10 fours and three sixes, gave the innings the required acceleration. Glenn Phillips provided the finishing touch with a blistering 61 off 39 deliveries, guiding New Zealand to a formidable total of 320/5 in 50 overs.
Among Pakistan’s bowlers, Naseem (2/63) and Haris Rauf (2/83) were the only ones who made breakthroughs, while Abrar Ahmed (1/47) bowled economically. However, Shaheen Afridi had an off day, conceding 68 runs without picking up a wicket.
Pakistan falter in run chase Despite Khushdil Shah’s heroics
Chasing 321, Pakistan’s top order struggled against disciplined bowling from New Zealand. Babar Azam tried to steady the ship with a cautious 64 off 90 balls, but wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Saud Shakeel (6), Mohammad Rizwan (3), and Tayyab Tahir (1) failed to make an impact, leaving Pakistan in deep trouble.
Amidst the collapse, Agha Salman played an aggressive knock of 42 off 28 balls, striking six boundaries and a six. However, it was Khushdil who provided Pakistan a glimmer of hope with a valiant 69 off just 49 balls, featuring 10 fours and a six. He was well supported by cameos from Afridi (14), Naseem (13), and Rauf (19), but the target proved too steep as Pakistan were bowled out for 260 in 47.2 overs.
Also READ: PAK vs NZ: Fans brutally troll Babar Azam for his slow knock during opening game of Champions Trophy 2025
New Zealand’s bowlers seal the deal
New Zealand’s bowlers executed their plans perfectly, ensuring Pakistan never gained momentum in the chase. William O’Rourke (3/47) and Mitchell Santner (3/66) were the pick of the bowlers, troubling the Pakistani batters with their variations. Matt Henry (2/25) provided crucial early breakthroughs, while Michael Bracewell (1/38) and Nathan Smith (1/20) chipped in to dismantle Pakistan’s batting lineup.
With this comprehensive win, New Zealand have taken an early lead in Group A, boosting their confidence for the remainder of the tournament. Pakistan, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly and address their batting woes ahead of their next fixture.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Clinical win from NZ! Important tons from Young and Latham but Phillips was the difference between 280 and 320. I think pressure got to Pak, they played too many dot balls and also Fakhar could have been used in powerplay considering his injury concerns. #PAKvNZ #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/Zsbn36IB3P
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 19, 2025
Centuries against Pakistan in Champions Trophy
118* – Tom Latham🇳🇿 TODAY
107 – Will Young🇳🇿 TODAY
102* – Sanath Jayasuriya🇱🇰 in 20021998 to 2017 – 1 century
Today – 2 centuries pic.twitter.com/GaaKQtb4FU— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) February 19, 2025
The only positive thing in today’s match was Khushdil’s inning.
He was under pressure and recently criticised a lot, but he proved himself.#ChampionsTrophy2025 #PAKvNZ— Junaid khan (@JunaidkhanREAL) February 19, 2025
Man of the match pic.twitter.com/Ja1mCZkq7l
— Out Of Context Cricket (@GemsOfCricket) February 19, 2025
Brilliant centuries from Will Young and Tom Latham, and unreal hitting from Glenn Phillips at the end.
Bowling & Fielding dominating performance made it possible. 😉Well done my favorites 🥳 pic.twitter.com/HjyWxvwn2H
— 🕊️…:)♡ (@ramanpreetcor_9) February 19, 2025
New Zealand as always at their best in ICC events. A dominant win against the hosts Pakistan, whom now, won three matches in a row against them at their home! Just brilliant isn’t it! Centuries from Young & Latham powers them to a thumping victory.#PakvsNz #CT25
— Siva K Varma (@varmashivakumar) February 19, 2025
Congratulations New Zealand…
Won the Match by 60 Runs against Pakistan.Will Young (107), Tom Latham (118), Glenn Philips (61) Marvelous Batting.
Bowling & Fielding dominating performance made it possible.#ICCChampionsTrophy2025#NZvPAK#ChampionsTrophy#ICCChampionsTrophy— Ar_Kumar (@ARKumarSSVPD) February 19, 2025
New Zealand defeated Pakistan in the first match of Champions Trophy 2025 💪#PAKvNZ #ChampionsTrophy2025
Scorecard: https://t.co/N1PblopmR2 pic.twitter.com/OLDuh9IJYV— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 19, 2025
You can say that batting was, maybe, tougher batting second, that it turned more….whatever. But I would imagine some very stern questions will be asked of the Pakistan top three.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 19, 2025
Pathetic seriously 😔🤞😭#PakistanCricket #ChampionsTrophy2025
— Qadir Khawaja (@iamqadirkhawaja) February 19, 2025
Beautiful defence by babar Azam trying to get through the new ball till lunch . #PakistanCricket #PAKvNZ
— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) February 19, 2025
Babar has a fine ODI record on paper. But those stats don’t tell the story of far too many innings like today where he puts pressure on his teammates & leaves his team requiring a miracle. Pretty innings that don’t threaten the opposition.
— Adam Sutherland (@AdamSants_) February 19, 2025
The perfect end to this innings from Pakistan is to send out the assistant fielding coach for the press conference.
— Jarrod Kimber (@ajarrodkimber) February 19, 2025
