Wed Feb 19 17:01:28 UTC 2025: ## New Zealand Rout Pakistan in Champions Trophy Opener

**Karachi, Pakistan:** New Zealand delivered a resounding 60-run victory over Pakistan in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, marking their fourth consecutive ODI win in Pakistan. The Kiwis, despite a shaky start, posted a challenging 320/5 thanks to centuries from Will Young (107) and Tom Latham (118), and a quick-fire 61 from Glenn Phillips.

Pakistan’s chase was hampered from the outset. Fakhar Zaman, injured early in the New Zealand innings, was unable to open and his limited mobility further hindered the team’s progress. Babar Azam, despite a painstaking 64 off 90 balls, couldn’t provide the impetus needed, while Salman Agha’s 42 off 28 offered a brief moment of hope before his dismissal. Pakistan’s run rate rarely exceeded 3.5 runs per over, ultimately falling far short of the target at 260/7.

New Zealand’s bowling attack, expertly utilizing spinners to exploit Fakhar’s injury, kept Pakistan under constant pressure. The Kiwis’ lower order, especially Latham and Phillips, showcased explosive batting in the latter stages of their innings, accelerating their scoring rate significantly. Young, playing in place of the injured Rachin Ravindra, played a crucial role in the victory.

The win firmly establishes New Zealand as strong contenders for the Champions Trophy, despite several key injuries within their squad. Pakistan, despite winning the last Champions Trophy, will need a significant improvement in their batting performance to challenge for the title. The match also highlighted the potential for high-scoring encounters throughout the tournament, given the batting-friendly pitches.

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