In the opening match of the Champions Trophy 2025, New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 60 runs. Batting first, New Zealand posted a challenging 320/5 in their allotted 50 overs, thanks to centuries from Will Young (107) and Tom Latham (118*).
Sports News: Will Young and Tom Latham's magnificent centuries, coupled with a half-century by Glenn Phillips, powered New Zealand to a convincing 60-run victory over Pakistan in the opening match of the Champions Trophy 2025. Winning the toss and electing to bat first, New Zealand reached 320/5 in their 50 overs. In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 260, handing New Zealand two crucial points.
Will Young and Tom Latham's Centuries
Devon Conway and Will Young provided a steady start for New Zealand, adding 39 runs for the first wicket. However, Abrar Ahmed broke the partnership in the 8th over, bowling Conway (17 balls, 10 runs). In the very next over, Naseem Shah dismissed captain Kane Williamson for just 1 run, giving Pakistan an early advantage.
Daryl Mitchell then joined Will Young, adding 33 runs for the third wicket before being caught by Shaheen Afridi off the bowling of Haris Rauf in the 17th over (24 balls, 10 runs). Young then found a reliable partner in Tom Latham, and the pair added a crucial 118 runs for the fourth wicket. Young played a brilliant innings of 107 runs off 113 balls, including 12 fours and 1 six.
Naseem Shah provided the breakthrough, dismissing Young. In the final overs, Glenn Phillips launched a blistering 61-run cameo off 39 balls, smashing 3 fours and 4 sixes. Wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Latham also played a superb innings, remaining unbeaten on 118 runs off 104 balls. For Pakistan, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf took 2 wickets each, while Abrar Ahmed claimed 1.
Pakistan's Crushing Home Defeat
Chasing 321, Pakistan's start was extremely slow, managing only 22 runs in the first 10 overs while losing two key wickets. Apart from Babar Azam and Khushdil Shah, no other batsman could withstand the New Zealand attack for long. Babar scored 64 off 90 balls, while Khushdil Shah played a fiery innings of 69 runs off 49 balls.
Other batsmen contributed modest scores: Saud Shakeel (6), captain Mohammad Rizwan (3), and Fakhar Zaman (24). Vice-captain Salman Ali Agha fell short of a half-century, scoring 42 off 28 balls. Tayyab Tahir (1), Shaheen Afridi (14), Naseem Shah (13), and Haris Rauf (19) were the other notable contributors.
New Zealand's bowling was outstanding. Captain Mitchell Santner and Will O'Rourke took 3 wickets each. Matt Henry claimed 2, while Michael Bracewell and Nathan Smith took 1 wicket apiece. Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 260, handing New Zealand a comfortable 60-run victory.
