Tom Latham and Will Young starred with the bat to power New Zealand’s Champions Trophy victory over Pakistan by 60 runs in the tournament opener at the National Stadium, Karachi. New Zealand posted a competitive 320-5 in 50 overs and bowled out Pakistan for 260 in 47.2 overs.
Strong Start by New Zealand
After being asked to bat first, New Zealand’s innings started shakily with three quick wickets for just 73 runs in 16.2 overs. However, Will Young took charge, anchoring the innings with a steady 107 off 113 balls, featuring 12 fours and one six. He built a crucial 118-run partnership with Tom Latham for the fourth wicket to steady the innings.
Latham, batting at No. 5, played the anchor role brilliantly. His unbeaten 118 off 104 balls, which included 10 fours and three sixes, earned him the Player of the Match award. He reached his eighth ODI century and accelerated the scoring with Glenn Phillips.
Phillips contributed with a quick-fire 61 off 39 balls, smashing three fours and four sixes. The pair added 125 runs for the fifth wicket, propelling New Zealand to 320-5. New Zealand scored 113 runs in the last 10 overs, losing just one wicket. Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf picked up two wickets each for Pakistan.
Read: Shubman Gill Surpasses Babar Azam to Become No. 1 ODI
Pakistan Struggles in the Chase
Pakistan’s chase got off to a shaky start. Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan fell early, leaving Pakistan struggling at 22-2 at the end of the powerplay. Fakhar Zaman, batting at No. 4 due to an earlier injury, was bowled by Michael Bracewell in the 21st over with Pakistan at 69-3.
Babar Azam tried to stabilize the innings with a patient 64 off 90 balls, featuring six fours and one six. He and Salman Ali Agha built a 58-run partnership, but New Zealand struck back with three quick wickets, leaving Pakistan at 153-6 in 34 overs.
Khushdil’s Late Fightback Falls Short
Khushdil Shah provided some resistance with a fighting 69 off 49 balls, hitting 10 fours and one six. However, Will O’Rourke dismissed him in the 44th over, effectively ending Pakistan’s hopes. Haris Rauf (19 off 11 balls, three sixes), Shaheen Shah Afridi (14 off 13 balls, one six), and Naseem Shah (13 off 15 balls, one six) added a few late runs, but Pakistan fell 60 runs short.
Will O’Rourke (3-47), Mitchell Santner (3-66), and Matt Henry (2-25) bowled effectively for New Zealand, sharing eight wickets among them.
Next Match: Pakistan vs. India
Pakistan will face India in their next Group A match on Sunday, February 23, However at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The match will begin at 2:00 p.m. PKT.
Match Summary
New Zealand beat Pakistan by 60 runs
New Zealand: 320-5, 50 overs (Tom Latham 118*, Will Young 107, Glenn Phillips 61; Naseem Shah 2-63, Haris Rauf 2-83)
Pakistan: 260 all out, 47.2 overs (Khushdil Shah 69, Babar Azam 64, Salman Ali Agha 42; Will O’Rourke 3-47, Mitchell Santner 3-66, Matt Henry 2-25)
Player of the Match: Tom Latham (New Zealand)
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