PAK vs NZ: New Zealand Beats Pakistan by 60 Runs in Champions Trophy 2025 Opener

PAK vs NZ: The first match of the ongoing 9th season of the ICC Champions Trophy was played today, 19 February, between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. In this match, New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 60 runs.

PAK vs NZ: New Zealand Sets a Big Target

Losing the toss and batting first, New Zealand set a strong target of 321 runs for Pakistan to win, chasing which Pakistan’s entire batting was reduced to just 260 runs in 47.2 overs.

If we talk about the match in detail, Pakistan won the toss and decided to bowl. After this, batting first, New Zealand scored a total of 320 runs for the loss of five wickets in the stipulated 50 overs. For the Kiwi team, opener Will Young played a brilliant century of 107 runs, while Tom Latham remained unbeaten after scoring 118 *. Apart from this, Glenn Phillips contributed 61 runs.

Also Check: Watch the video of Kane Williamson’s Wicket in CT 2025

Pakistan Falls Short in Run Chase

On the other hand, if we talk about the bowling of the Pakistan cricket team, then today their bowling did not show any edge. After taking two wickets in the powerplay, Pakistani bowlers could not get wickets at regular intervals. All three leading fast bowlers of Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf gave more than 60 runs in their quota of 10 overs. Naseem and Haris got 2-2 and Abrar Ahmed got 1 wicket.

After this, when Pakistan came out to chase the strong target of 321 runs given by New Zealand, it was reduced to just 260 runs in 47.2 overs. For Pakistan, only Babar Azam 64, Salman Ali Agha 42 and Khushdil Shah could play innings of 69 runs. At the same time, Saud Shakeel (6), Mohammad Rizwan (3), Tayyab Tahir (1) and Fakhar Zaman (24) were disappointed in their batting.

On the other hand, the Kiwi team bowled brilliantly and took wickets at regular intervals. The Kiwi bowlers did not allow any big partnership between any Pakistani players. For the team, William O’Rourke and Mitchell Santner took 3-3 wickets, while Matt Henry took 2 and Michael Bracewell and Nathan Smith got 1-1 wickets.

PAK vs NZ Playing XIs Both Team:

New Zealand’s Playing XI: Mitchell Santner (C), Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (WK), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, William O’Rourke.

Pakistan’s Playing XI: Mohammad Rizwan (C & WK), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.