New Zealand started their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a commanding 60-run victory over Pakistan in Karachi, extending their perfect record against the defending champions in the tournament. Pakistan’s sluggish and conservative approach in the chase of 321 runs proved costly, as their batting lineup failed to keep up with the required tempo. The loss puts Pakistan in a precarious position, with their next match against India becoming a virtual knockout.
Chasing 321, Pakistan got off to a poor start as Saud Shakeel struggled to get going before edging a delivery from Will O’Rourke to Matt Henry at third man for 6 off 19 balls. At 8/1 in 3.4 overs, the early setback put pressure on the batting lineup. Pakistan’s captain Mohammad Rizwan joined Babar Azam at the crease, but their ultra-defensive approach resulted in just 22 runs on the board after 10 overs. Rizwan’s innings ended at 3 off 14 balls after a stunning diving catch by Glenn Phillips off O’Rourke’s bowling.
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Fakhar Zaman’s arrival brought some urgency to the innings, as he played a few attacking strokes. A four by Babar in the 16th over took Pakistan past the 50-run mark. However, Fakhar’s aggressive intent was short-lived, as Michael Bracewell outfoxed him, clean-bowling him for 22. Pakistan was left struggling at 67/3 in 20.5 overs.
Salman Agha entered and played a contrasting innings to Babar, taking on the spinners with some attacking strokes. His aggressive approach helped Pakistan reach 100 in the 27th over. However, Agha’s counterattack ended at 42 off 28 balls, including six fours and a six, as Nathan Smith dismissed him. Pakistan was 127/4 in 30.4 overs, with the required run rate climbing.
Babar eventually reached his 35th ODI half-century off 81 balls, featuring five fours. However, his slow innings continued to increase pressure, and Pakistan lost another wicket as Mitchell Santner dismissed Tayyab Tahir for just 1, leaving them at 128/5. Santner then brought an end to Babar’s sluggish knock of 64 off 90 balls, including six fours and a six, further denting Pakistan’s chances at 153/6 in 34 overs.
After Babar’s dismissal, Pakistan’s scoring rate improved, with Khushdil Shah launching an aggressive counterattack. His quick runs helped Pakistan cross 200 in 41 overs. Matt Henry then removed Shaheen Afridi for 14 off 13 balls, including a six, leaving Pakistan at 200/7.
Khushdil reached his half-century off 38 balls, striking six fours and a six. He stitched together a 29-run partnership with Haris Rauf before O’Rourke dismissed him for a well-fought 69 off 49 balls, which included 10 fours and a six. Pakistan’s hopes faded at 229/8 in 44 overs.
The tailenders Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf entertained the crowd with some big hits, but Santner had Rauf caught for 19 off 10 balls, which included three sixes. Matt Henry wrapped up the innings by bowling Naseem for 13, as Pakistan was bowled out for 260 in 47.2 overs.
For New Zealand, O’Rourke (3/47) and Santner (3/66) were the standout bowlers. Henry took two wickets, while Bracewell and Smith chipped in with one each.
With this defeat, Pakistan’s chances in the tournament now rest on their next high-profile clash against India on Sunday. A loss could potentially end their title defense. However, Rizwan downplayed the pressure surrounding the much-anticipated fixture, calling it just another normal match for Pakistan.
A performance to remember in Karachi. With an unbeaten 118, his 8th ODI century, today’s Player of the Match is Tom Latham 🏅#ChampionsTrophy #CricketNation #PAKvNZ 📸 = ICC/Getty pic.twitter.com/5X0tWb9OKk
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 19, 2025
Rizwan admits Pakistan didn’t expect NZ to put 300-plus total; sees blockbuster clash against India as “normal match”
Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan admitted that his team did not expect New Zealand to post a massive total of 320 runs in the Champions Trophy opener in Karachi, especially after Pakistan’s dominant performance in the first 20 overs. The match marked the tournament’s return after over seven years, with New Zealand putting on an impressive show with both bat and ball to secure a commanding 60-run victory.
“Our execution in the end overs was not good, and that’s why they made that score,” Rizwan admitted in the post-match presentation. The final overs proved disastrous for Pakistan, with Shaheen Afridi conceding 18 runs in the 47th over, Haris Rauf leaking 11 in the next, followed by another expensive over from Shaheen, and finally, Haris conceding 14 runs in the last over.
“We lost momentum twice, first in the death overs and then in the powerplay with the bat. Losing Fakhar Zaman [as opener] was crucial,” Rizwan remarked about Pakistan’s struggles in both innings.
With this defeat, Pakistan’s chances in the tournament now rest on their next high-profile clash against India on Sunday. A loss could potentially end their title defense. However, Rizwan downplayed the pressure surrounding the much-anticipated fixture, calling it just another normal match for Pakistan.
“We didn’t want to put pressure on ourselves by thinking we are defending champions. This match is gone, and the next match is another normal match for us,” he said.
Champions Trophy: From expecting 260 to hammering 320; Santner reveals key factor behind NZ’s success against Pakistan
Captain Mitchell Santner admitted that his team initially aimed for a total between 260 and 280 runs, but a strong foundation allowed them to surpass expectations, finishing with an imposing 320/5.
Santner acknowledged Pakistan’s disciplined bowling in the middle overs but credited Latham and Young’s ability to rotate the strike and find crucial boundaries. “We were thinking 260-280, but it shows what you can do if you have a platform and wickets in hand,” he noted in the post-match presentation.
“We built the run-rate pressure and were able to chip wickets throughout. We kind of expect that from Glenn [the catch], and getting Rizwan like that was outstanding,” Santner said, praising his team’s sharp fielding and disciplined bowling.
New Zealand’s bowlers executed their plans effectively, consistently hitting the short length with the seamers while the spinners focused on slower deliveries to restrict Pakistan’s scoring opportunities. Despite the usual challenge of dew affecting the ball at night, the conditions remained dry due to strong winds, allowing the bowlers to maintain control.
“Tonight, there wasn’t much dew, maybe because of the wind, but hitting that slightly shorter length – 9-10m – was crucial for the quicks, and bowling a little slower for our spinners helped us get it to grip. And our ground fielding was outstanding. We were able to squeeze the new batsmen,” Santner explained.
With two points secured from their emphatic win, New Zealand will now head to Rawalpindi for their second group-stage match against Bangladesh on February 24, aiming to build on their strong start in the tournament.
Brief Scores:
- NZ: 320/5 (Tom Latham 118, Will Young 107, Naseem Shah 2/63)
- Pakistan (Khushdil Shah 69, Babar Azam 64, Will O’Rourke 3/47) by 60 runs.
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