Karachi [Pakistan], February 19: The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 kicked off in grand style as New Zealand’s batters dominated the opening match against hosts Pakistan at the National Stadium, Karachi. Will Young remained unbeaten on a stunning 118 off 104 deliveries, while Tom Latham also notched up a century, leading the Kiwis to a formidable total of 320/5 in their 50 overs.
New Zealand’s innings was built on a solid foundation, with Young anchoring the innings and Latham playing an aggressive yet composed knock. Glenn Phillips provided the late flourish, smashing 61 off just 39 balls, ensuring the Black Caps capitalized in the death overs.
Young and Latham Lead the Charge
After losing an early wicket, New Zealand recovered well, with Young and Latham stitching together a crucial partnership. Latham, known for his ability to control the innings in the middle overs, played some exquisite shots to reach his century before falling to Shaheen Afridi. His knock provided the necessary momentum for the Kiwi innings.
Will Young, on the other hand, played the anchor role to perfection, pacing his innings brilliantly. His unbeaten 118 off 104 balls, laced with boundaries and well-timed strokes, ensured New Zealand maintained a strong scoring rate.
Phillips’ Late Onslaught
Glenn Phillips added the final push to the innings, smashing 61 off just 39 balls, including some towering sixes against the Pakistani bowlers. His aggressive stroke play in the death overs helped New Zealand cross the 300-run mark, setting a daunting target for Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Bowling Struggles
Pakistan’s bowling attack, despite being one of the strongest in world cricket, had a tough time containing the Kiwi batters. While Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf picked up crucial wickets, they struggled with their economy rate. Spinner Abrar Ahmed managed to keep things tight in the middle overs, but the overall bowling effort lacked penetration against New Zealand’s well-structured innings.
Pakistan’s Chase: A Tough Task Ahead
With a mammoth target of 321, Pakistan will need a strong start from their openers Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman to stay in the contest. Their middle order, featuring Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel, will be key in stabilizing the innings if early wickets fall.
The opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has already set the tone for an exciting tournament, with high-quality batting and intense competition on display. All eyes will now be on Pakistan’s chase and whether they can pull off a record run chase in front of their home crowd.
Tags: Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan vs New Zealand, Will Young Century, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, New Zealand Cricket, Pakistan Bowling, Karachi Stadium, ICC Cricket, Cricket News