Friday, 6 June 2025
Wednesday, 19 February 2025
Champions Trophy Match 1 Pakistan vs New Zealand Report
Pakistan Batsman Babar Azam Took 81 balls to complete his half century.
New Zealand carried on their supremacy against Pakistan in the opening game of the Champions Trophy 2025. Pakistan who are hosting an ICC Tournament after a gap of 29 Years had their New Zealand party spoiled by New Zealand on the opening day of the Champions Trophy, handing hosts a 60-run loss in Karachi. Pakistan suffered an injury scare when Fakhar Zaman trying to stop a boundary was holding his lower back. He had gone off the field. As result of the time spent off the field, Fakhar, power hits was a necessity for a big chase was not able to open the batting When he came out to bat at No. 4 - Pakistan were 22 for 2 in ten overs at the time. He was visibly hampered while running between the wickets .
Pakistan played a lot of dot balls almost 25 overs of it. Pakistan batsmen never stepped up the score rate including Babar Azam who took 81 balls for his fifty.
Earlier in the day Young and Latham scored hundreds before Glenn Phillips provided an electric finish. New Zealand scored113 off their last ten overs to finish with 320.
There was no way Pakistan was going to chase it despite late blows from Khushdil Shah, who hit 69 off 49 balls, and the lower order. Pakistan were ultimately bowled out for 260 in the 48th over.
The Title defence took a serious hit after just one game and green shirts are missing out on reaching the last four. India having a very balanced squad despite will start as favorites while Pakistan short on confidence would require to play out of the skins in order to get their campaign back on track.