New Zealand defeated Pakistan by a comfortable margin in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Wednesday. The Blackcaps set Pakistan a target of 321, which they failed to chase down despite some resistance.
Pakistan’s chase faltered early, with Saud Shakeel dismissed for 6 off 19 balls and Muhammad Rizwan following shortly for 3 after a brilliant catch by Glenn Phillips. Babar Azam (64 off 90) and Fakhar Zaman (24 off 41) steadied the ship with a 47-run partnership, but Fakhar’s dismissal in the next over shifted momentum.
Salman Agha (42 off 28) and Khushdil Shah (69 off 49) provided some late resistance, but Pakistan’s chase was effectively sealed by New Zealand’s bowlers, with Mitchell Santner and Will O’Rourke taking key wickets.
Earlier, New Zealand posted 320/5 in 50 overs, anchored by a brilliant century from Will Young, who scored 107 off 113 balls.
Tom Latham supported him with an unbeaten 118 off 104 balls, while Glenn Phillips added 61 off 39 balls in a strong finishing effort. Despite losing Devon Conway (10), Kane Williamson (1), and Daryl Mitchell (10) early, New Zealand recovered through Young and Latham’s 118-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
Pakistan’s bowlers, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, each took two wickets, but struggled to contain the run flow, with Rauf conceding 83 runs in his 10 overs.
With two points added to their tally, New Zealand became the Group 1 leaders, while Pakistan moved to fourth position, behind Bangladesh and India, who play their first match in Dubai on Thursday.
Here is a look at the table:
| POS | Teams | PLAYED | WON | LOST | TIED | N/R | POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Zealand | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 |
| 2 |
India | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 3 |
Bangladesh | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
| 4 |
Pakistan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 |
