ICC Champions Trophy 2025: New Zealand outclass Pakistan after Young, Latham hit centuries

New Zealand beat the hosts Pakistan by 60 runs in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Karachi.

Will Young and Tom Latham, New Zealand smashed centuries to guide New Zealand to 320, which Pakistan failed to chase down.

While chasing, the hosts were tumbled for 260 in 47.2 overs. Khushdil Shah scored 69 off 49 balls, and Babar Azam scored 64 off 90 balls. But their efforts were not enough for Pakistan to avoid a defeat.

Will O’Rourke and Mitchell Santner scalped three wickets each for New Zealand.

Bowling first, Pakistan struck early, reducing New Zealand to 73 for 3 inside 17 overs.

Naseem Shah removed Kane Williamson for just 1 after Abrar Ahmed had bowled Devon Conway for 10. Haris Rauf then dismissed Daryl Mitchell, putting the visitors under pressure.

But, Young and Latham steadied the innings with a 118-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Young, composed at the crease, reached his century in 113 balls, hitting 12 fours and a six before he fell for 107, caught by substitute Faheem Ashraf off Naseem.

Latham took charge from there, accelerating in the final overs. The left-hander smashed an unbeaten 118 off 104 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes, ensuring New Zealand capitalized on their platform.

Glenn Phillips provided the finishing touch, hammering 61 off 39 deliveries with three fours and four sixes, before falling in the penultimate over.

Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to contain the scoring in the latter half of the innings. Haris Rauf was expensive, conceding 83 runs in his 10 overs but managed to pick up two wickets. Naseem Shah was the most successful with 2 for 63, while Abrar Ahmed took 1 for 47.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, expected to lead the attack, went wicketless, finishing with 0 for 68.

With the Champions Trophy, an ICC event returned to Pakistan after so many years. But Pakistan failed to make the start of this event memorable.