Explore the thrilling performance of Will Young and Tom Latham as New Zealand dismantles Pakistan in Champions Trophy Match 1. Get the latest updates and analysis.
Introduction:
Pakistan had waited almost three decades for a world tournament to come back to their home turf, but New Zealand played spoilsport on the first day of the Champions Trophy 2025 in Karachi. The co-hosts were crushed by a 60-run loss, endangering their semi-final hopes. With just three group-stage games per team, Pakistan now stands with an uphill task to make it to the knockout stages. See also: Gill’s Composed Century Leads India to Victory
The heroes of New Zealand’s comprehensive victory were Will Young and Tom Latham, both of whom played great centuries. Their authoritative performances, which were backed by a bit of luck, laid the platform for the dominance of the visitors.
Fakhar Zaman’s Injury Costs Pakistan Heavily
The match began on a bitter note for Pakistan as Fakhar Zaman got injured just two balls into the game while attempting a cover drive from Young. Picked out of the game for most of New Zealand’s innings, Fakhar couldn’t open bat in Pakistan’s run-chase of 321. When he finally went out to bat at No. 4, the team was already in big trouble at 22 for 2 after ten overs. Restricted in his movements, Fakhar battled the spin bowling of Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips before being bowled by Bracewell for 24 off 41 deliveries.
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Fakhar’s travails replicated the bigger trouble Pakistan encountered while chasing. Babar Azam scored a half-century but had taken 81 deliveries to score it, and most of the Pakistani batters did not quicken the tempo. Even though injuries had eliminated New Zealand pacers Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears, their spinners exploited a pitch that provided turn and variable bounce to the fullest. So dominant were the spinners that Nathan Smith, the third seamer, wasn’t needed until the 31st over—by which time Pakistan’s required rate had risen to almost ten runs an over.
New Zealand’s Batting Dominance Led by Will Young and Latham
New Zealand, without the services of Rachin Ravindra, came back from early troubles to score a formidable 320. After a wobbly start in which they were left at 40 for 2 and then 73 for 3, Will Young and Tom Latham asserted themselves to save their innings.
Young, usually on the periphery of the national side, made the most out of his chance. Having returned a Player of the Series performance with New Zealand’s record 3-0 victory in India, he carried his form to secure his first international century overseas. His disciplined 107 from 107 balls anchored New Zealand and kept them in charge.
Latham also had something to prove. Following a series of poor scores in recent ODIs, he got his mojo back in this game. His 118 off 104 balls, not out, contained 52 runs hit square or behind square on the leg side, demonstrating his dominance against Pakistan’s spinners.
The final touch was provided by Glenn Phillips, who sped the innings with a blistering 61 off 39 deliveries, taking New Zealand’s score above 300. His big-hitting in the death overs, two back-to-back sixes against Shaheen Afridi, left Pakistan stunned.
Pakistan’s Batting Struggle
Pakistan’s run chase started on a hapless note. Without Fakhar at the top, stand-in opener Saud Shakeel got out cheaply for 6 in the fourth over. Mohammad Rizwan, who was pushed up the order, could not contribute either, getting out for 3 off 14 balls after an acrobatic one-handed catch by Phillips.
With Pakistan scoring only 22 runs off the first ten overs—their worst opening powerplay in the Champions Trophy since 2019—the pressure intensified. While wickets fell at frequent intervals, only Khushdil Shah offered any resistance with a gritty 69 off 49 deliveries. It came too late, though, to alter the result as Pakistan were bowled out for 260 in the 48th over.
Santner’s Captaincy Debut Sees Success
In his first big tournament as New Zealand captain, Mitchell Santner left his mark. Even though he was costly towards the end, he took three vital wickets, guiding his side with strategic sense. New Zealand, having now defeated Pakistan for the third time in two weeks, further cemented themselves as serious title contenders.
Pakistan, however, need to pick themselves up quickly if they are to stay alive in the Champions Trophy. With two more group-stage matches remaining, they need to come back strongly to stand a chance at the semi-finals.