Introduction
The Champions Trophy 2025 got off to a thrilling start as New Zealand put up an impressive total of 320/5 against Pakistan in the opening match of the tournament. Riding on brilliant performances from Will Young and Tom Latham, the Kiwis set a strong foundation in their first innings. Pakistan’s bowling attack, despite early breakthroughs, struggled to contain New Zealand’s batting depth, setting up an exciting chase under the lights.
First Innings: A Solid Start for New Zealand
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson backed his batting lineup to set a competitive total on what appeared to be a batting-friendly pitch at National Stadium, Karachi.
However, the start was shaky for the Black Caps as Trent Boult’s absence in the squad meant an extra burden on their middle order. Opener Devon Conway (18 off 24) fell early to Shaheen Afridi, who trapped him LBW in the fifth over. The early breakthrough gave Pakistan an edge, but New Zealand’s batting resilience soon came into play.
Will Young’s Commanding Knock
Will Young, stepping up at number three, played a magnificent knock of 112 runs off 117 balls, anchoring the innings. His composed batting and well-timed boundaries ensured that New Zealand didn’t lose momentum despite losing early wickets.
Young’s partnership with Tom Latham (78 off 85 balls) was the highlight of the innings. The duo built a solid 148-run stand for the third wicket, stabilizing New Zealand’s innings after the early loss of Conway and Williamson. Latham, known for his ability to rotate strike, played a captain’s knock, ensuring the run rate remained steady.
Middle-Order Acceleration
After the departure of Young, Glenn Phillips (42 off 30 balls) and Daryl Mitchell (38 off 26 balls) took charge in the final overs. Their aggressive approach saw New Zealand adding over 90 runs in the last 10 overs, pushing the total past the 300-mark.
Phillips, in particular, took on Pakistan’s bowlers, smashing three sixes and four boundaries, providing a much-needed flourish at the death.
Pakistan’s Bowling Performance
Pakistan’s bowling unit had a mixed day on the field. While Shaheen Afridi (2/54) and Haris Rauf (1/65) bowled with pace and intent, the spinners struggled to contain New Zealand’s middle order.
- Shaheen Afridi gave Pakistan an early breakthrough by dismissing Conway.
- Shadab Khan (0/67 in 10 overs) had an off day, failing to make an impact with the ball.
- Naseem Shah (1/52 in 9 overs) bowled well in patches but couldn’t restrict runs in the final overs.
- Haris Rauf’s expensive spell in the death overs allowed New Zealand to accelerate and post a big total.
Pakistan’s Chase: A Tough Task Ahead
With 321 runs required for victory, Pakistan’s batting lineup will need to fire on all cylinders. The responsibility will lie on Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Fakhar Zaman to anchor the innings, while power-hitters like Iftikhar Ahmed and Shadab Khan will be expected to finish strongly.
Given New Zealand’s strong bowling attack, featuring Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, and Mitchell Santner, Pakistan will have to play sensibly and avoid losing early wickets to stay in the contest.
Conclusion
New Zealand has put themselves in a strong position with 320/5 on the board, thanks to Will Young’s century and Latham’s steady contribution. Pakistan’s bowlers will have to reflect on their performance, while their batters now face the challenge of chasing a big total under pressure.
With both teams eager to start the Champions Trophy 2025 on a winning note, the second innings promises to be an exciting contest. Will Pakistan successfully chase down the target, or will New Zealand’s bowlers dominate under the lights?
Stay tuned for live updates!
