New Zealand remained unbeaten against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy and registered their fourth win against the co-hosts on Wednesday in the opener at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. (Highlights | Full Coverage | More Cricket News)
Chasing a target of 321 runs, Mohammad Rizwan-led Pakistan could only make 260 runs and lost the match by 60 runs in front of the half-packed Karachi stadium.
Pakistan invited New Zealand to bat first after winning the toss. These two teams played the final of the tri-nation series five days before at the same venue where the tourists emerged as the winner.
Playing XIs:
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, William O'Rourke
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w/c), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
Devon Conway and Kane Williamson lost their wicket early in the game but opener batter Will Young and Tom Latham added 118 runs for the fourth wicket and built the Kiwi innings. Young completed his fourth ODI century and the first of the tournament. His 107-run knock included 12 fours and one six.
Latham joined Glenn Phillips and shifted gears in the last powerplay. The duo added 125 runs for the fifth wicket. Latham completed his eight ODI century and remained unbeaten on 118 off just 104 balls.
Glenn Phillips accelerated New Zealand's innings in the death overs and made a quick 61 off just 39 balls including four sixes and three fours.
In response, Pakistan started with Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam as Fakhar Zaman was injured. William O'Rourke and Matt Henry gave a dream start to the Black Caps and kept them on the edge. O'Rourke dismissed Shakeel and captain Rizwan within the first powerplay.
Zaman came to bat at number four and played some shots but soon got dismissed by Michael Bracewell. Azam kept holding the wickets from one end but his strike rate of 71.11 while chasing an above 300-run target did not help Pakistan.
Pakistan vice-captain Salman Ali Agha made a quick 42 off 28 balls but Nathan Smith dismissed him in his first over. Tayyab Tahir also could not stay for long at the crease.
Khushdil Shah played a brilliant knock of 69 runs off just 49 balls but he missed support from the other end. Though there were little cameos from the tailenders, those were not enough for the co-hosts as they lost the match by 60 runs in the end.
Tom Latham was named the Player of the Match for his unbeaten 118-run knock. New Zealand have not lost any match against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy history.
Pakistan will face India in their next Group A fixture on 23 February in Dubai whereas New Zealand will face Bangladesh on 24 February in Rawalpindi.
In match 2 of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India will take on Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Thursday, 20 February.
