After nearly three decades, Pakistan finally got to host a global cricket tournament, the National Bank Stadium was buzzing, fans were ready for a winning start, but New Zealand had other plans.
In the opening match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, the Kiwis spoiled the party, handing Pakistan a 60-run defeat. Centuries from Will Young and Tom Latham set the stage, while a disciplined bowling effort ensured New Zealand walked away with a convincing win.
A Tough Chase from the Start
Chasing 321 was always going to be a challenge. But Pakistan’s hopes took a hit before their innings even started.
Two balls into the match, Fakhar Zaman injured himself while chasing a cover drive and had to leave the field. That meant he couldn’t open the batting, a major blow considering his aggressive style. By the time he walked in at No. 4, Pakistan were already struggling at 22 for 2 in ten overs. And to make matters worse, he wasn’t at his best—running between the wickets looked painful, and the New Zealand spinners made life miserable for him.
Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips kept the ball away from his hitting arc, and eventually, Fakhar’s scratchy innings ended on 24 off 41 balls.
Unfortunately for Pakistan, it wasn’t just Fakhar who found it tough.
Babar Azam, the anchor of the batting lineup, took 81 balls for his fifty. The sluggish start meant the asking rate kept climbing. Even with New Zealand missing key pacers Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears, their spinners did enough damage to keep Pakistan on the back foot.
By the time Pakistan needed nearly ten runs per over, the pressure was too much. Despite a fighting knock from Khushdil Shah (69 off 49 balls), Pakistan could only manage 260 before getting bowled out in the 48th over.
Young & Latham’s Masterclass
The match didn’t always look like it would end this way. At one point, New Zealand were struggling at 40 for 2 in the ninth over and later 73 for 3 in the 17th. Pakistan had an opening.
But then, Young and Latham took control.
Young, often in and out of the team, once again proved his worth. He had impressed during New Zealand’s historic 3-0 sweep of India but was left out when Kane Williamson returned. Given another chance, he made it count, scoring a brilliant 107 off 107 balls.
Latham, on the other hand, looked unstoppable. Coming off a rough patch with three ducks earlier this year, he found his rhythm at the perfect time. His unbeaten 118 off 104 balls included a range of sweeps that made Pakistan’s spinners ineffective.
Once Young departed, Latham and Phillips put on a quick-fire 125-run partnership off just 74 balls. Phillips, after a slow start, exploded, reaching his fifty in just 34 balls. His 61 off 39 helped New Zealand post a daunting 320.
Fielding Brilliance & Early Wickets Seal It
New Zealand were just as sharp in the field as they were with the bat.
Phillips pulled off the moment of the match, taking a spectacular one-handed catch at point to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan for just 3. It was a stunner—one that perfectly summed up New Zealand’s intensity.
Pakistan’s start with the bat was disastrous. Makeshift opener Saud Shakeel fell for 6, and Rizwan followed soon after. At the ten-over mark, Pakistan had crawled to 22 for 2—their lowest powerplay score in a Champions Trophy match since 2019.
There was no coming back from there. For the third time in two weeks, New Zealand comfortably defeated Pakistan. This wasn’t just a loss—it was a wake-up call.
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