Latham, Young lead New Zealand to victory as Pakistan stumbles in Champions Trophy 2025 opener

New Zealand stamped their authority in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener, securing a dominant 60-run victory over hosts Pakistan at the National Stadium in Karachi. Tom Latham and Will Young led the charge with brilliant centuries, setting the stage for a formidable total of 320/5. Despite playing in familiar conditions, Pakistan’s chase lacked intent from the outset, and a late resistance from Khushdil Shah was not enough to rescue the team from yet another disappointing defeat in an ICC tournament.

With a confident start to their campaign, New Zealand not only overcame a shaky beginning with the bat but also delivered a well-rounded bowling performance to expose Pakistan’s long-standing issues in the one-day format.

How Did Latham and Young Take Control After a Stuttering Start?

Pakistan, opting to bowl first after winning the toss, hoped to capitalise on early movement under the Karachi sun. However, their pacers found little assistance, and New Zealand steadily gained control despite losing Devon Conway (10) and Kane Williamson (1) cheaply. Young anchored the innings with an assured knock, timing the ball well and finding gaps with precision.

Young’s century, a near-perfect balance of front-foot and back-foot strokes, proved to be a defining factor in New Zealand’s innings. He was playing in place of Rachin Ravindra, who missed out due to a last-minute injury, and he ensured his inclusion counted. He found an able partner in Latham, who built his innings methodically, rotating strike against the spinners before accelerating in the latter half.

Their 118-run partnership for the fourth wicket negated any pressure Pakistan hoped to exert. Latham, known for his ability to manipulate the field, showcased his range with calculated sweeps and delicate placement. The duo ensured that New Zealand reached the final 10 overs with a solid platform.

How Did New Zealand Accelerate Towards the End?

Once Young departed for 107 in the 38th over, Glenn Phillips arrived at the crease and wasted no time in taking on Pakistan’s bowlers. The middle order’s aggressive approach in the death overs proved crucial in pushing New Zealand to a total that defied early expectations.

Latham, having reached his century, shifted gears seamlessly, finding boundaries with ease. Phillips capitalised on Pakistan’s lack of execution in the final overs, smashing four sixes in his rapid 61 off just 39 balls. Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to contain the run flow, conceding 113 runs in the final 10 overs.

With a target of 321, Pakistan needed a strong response from their top order. However, what followed was a display of familiar struggles that have haunted them in recent years.

Where Did Pakistan’s Batting Line-Up Falter?

Pakistan’s chase began on a disastrous note as they crawled to just 22/2 in the first 10 overs. Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan were both dismissed cheaply, leaving Babar Azam with an uphill task. The hosts struggled to find any momentum as New Zealand’s attack bowled with precision.

Fakhar Zaman, who had suffered an injury while fielding earlier in the match, was clearly not at full fitness. His movement was restricted, and his running between the wickets was cautious. Despite managing some attacking strokes, he never looked comfortable. The lack of early intent saw the required run rate creep up rapidly, leaving Pakistan’s middle order under enormous pressure.

Pakistan’s approach lacked aggression, with the team playing an astonishing 75 dot balls in the first 17 overs. While Babar Azam attempted to hold the innings together, his strike rate of 71.11 was a reflection of the mounting scoreboard pressure. Salman Ali Agha’s 42 off 28 balls and Khushdil Shah’s spirited 69 off 49 balls were the only bright spots in an otherwise sluggish batting display.

How Did New Zealand’s Bowlers Dominate the Second Innings?

New Zealand’s bowlers executed their plans with clinical efficiency. Will O’Rourke led the attack with figures of 3-47, while Mitchell Santner was equally effective, taking 3-66. The spinners played a crucial role, extracting more turn than their Pakistani counterparts and making run-scoring difficult in the middle overs.

With the asking rate soaring, Pakistan’s batters were forced to take risks, and the well-set fielders capitalised on those mistakes. O’Rourke’s dismissal of Rizwan, courtesy of a stunning diving catch from Phillips, was a key moment that further dented Pakistan’s chase. Nathan Smith and Matt Henry bowled with discipline, ensuring Pakistan never gained the upper hand.

By the time the innings reached its final stages, Pakistan needed an improbable 90 runs in the last 10 overs. Khushdil Shah fought valiantly with an aggressive display, but the lack of support from the other end meant the match had already slipped out of reach. The innings folded at 260 in 47.2 overs, confirming a comfortable win for New Zealand.

What Did the Captains Say After the Match?

After the game, Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan admitted that his team had miscalculated the pitch conditions and fell short of their expectations. He acknowledged the mistakes made in both innings, particularly the failure to accelerate in the early overs. He also provided an update on Fakhar Zaman’s injury, stating that medical results were still awaited.

Tom Latham, named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 118*, credited his familiarity with the conditions for his composed innings. He praised Will Young’s contribution and highlighted Glenn Phillips’ late blitz as a major factor in reaching 320.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner lauded his team’s all-round performance, stating that the disciplined bowling effort was a testament to the team’s preparation. He also acknowledged the importance of understanding Pakistani conditions from the recent tri-series, which had helped the team formulate a winning strategy.

What Lies Ahead for Pakistan and New Zealand?

New Zealand’s convincing win sets them up as early contenders in the Champions Trophy 2025. Their ability to recover from a shaky start, post a commanding total, and then execute their bowling plans effectively bodes well for the rest of the tournament.

For Pakistan, this defeat raises fresh concerns about their approach to modern ODI cricket. Their struggles with intent at the start of the innings, coupled with ineffective bowling at the death, continue to hinder their progress in ICC events. As they prepare for their next fixture, addressing these recurring issues will be crucial if they are to remain in contention for a semi-final spot.