New Zealand began their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign in emphatic style, claiming a convincing 60-run victory over the defending champions Pakistan at the National Bank Stadium.
The win brought out Pakistan's perennial batting issues and consolidated New Zealand's control over this series, taking their unbeaten streak in the tournament against Pakistan to 4-0.
With only two spots available in Group A semi-finals, this loss places Pakistan at a difficult situation since they are now faced with a difficult way forward in the tournament.
Pounded into making the first act by putting the visitors into bat in conditions predominantly favoring the run-chasers, New Zealand showed immense staying power. Will Young (107) and Tom Latham (118) opener duo played sedately, astutely neutralizing Pakistan's opening swing attack.
Their composed centuries set the foundation strong, and Glenn Phillips added a late flourish with a scorching 61 off 39 balls to take New Zealand to a commanding total of 320. With Pakistan's erratic recent batting performances, the target always looked uphill.
Pakistan's pursuit started on shaky legs. A fielding injury kept Fakhar Zaman out of opening, and Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel had to shoulder the responsibility of constructing a solid platform.
Shakeel got out cheaply, however, in pursuit of a wide ball from Will O'Rourke, and Mohammad Rizwan followed soon after, thanks to a stunning one-handed catch by Phillips at backward point. By the 10-over mark, Pakistan were struggling at 22/2—their lowest powerplay score in ODIs since 2019.
Even with his injury, Fakhar Zaman walked in at No. 4 but struggled to keep the scoreboard moving against New Zealand's tight spin bowling. Michael Bracewell and Phillips successfully denied scoring chances, and Fakhar finally got out for a laborious 24 off 41 balls. Salman Agha gave some hope to the innings with a forceful 42 off 28 balls, taking on Phillips, but his fall in the 30th over left Pakistan in a precarious position.
New Zealand bowling was a masterclass in strategic application. Matt Henry and O'Rourke set the tone early before Santner and Bracewell dominated on a slowing Karachi surface, gaining substantial turn. Pakistan could not get out of the blocks, posting more than 100 dot balls in the first 25 overs. The turning point arrived when Santner got Babar Azam out for a struggleful 60 off 90 deliveries—an effort that never really threatened New Zealand's grip.
Santner continued his outstanding spell, dismissing Haseebullah Tahir and later inducing a mis-hit from Babar, reducing Pakistan to 153/6 by the 34th over. With the required run rate climbing beyond 12, Pakistan’s hopes of victory were all but extinguished.
Despite the mounting pressure, Khushdil Shah fought back valiantly with a counterattacking 69 off 49 balls, targeting the leg side with powerful strokes. But New Zealand's bowlers stayed calm, tactfully removing pace from the ball and bowling outside lines. They were disciplined to the extent of making Khushdil go for a mis-hit in the 44th over, actually ending Pakistan's last genuine opportunity for a comeback. The tailenders contributed some late runs, but it just reduced the defeat instead of changing the inevitable fate.
Pakistan's failure to switch strike and their excessively defensive strategy in the early overs came at a cost. Their strategy of making the chase deep went awry as they got too far behind the desired rate, and they had minimal firepower left for the finish. The whopping 104 dot balls in the first 25 overs highlighted their failure to escape New Zealand's well-laid-out strategy.
Conversely, New Zealand's disciplined bowling, quick fielding, and wise management of spin were central factors in their dominating victory. Their capacity to acclimatize to the conditions and carry out plans perfectly cemented their position as bona fide title hopefuls.
With this defeat, Pakistan are now in a situation where they have to win their next game before their high-pressure encounter against arch-rivals India.
Improving their batting issues, especially their lack of intent and failure to gain early momentum, will be imperative. With Bangladesh also in the equation, Pakistan's journey to the semi-finals has become much tougher, and another failure could prove disastrous.
While that is happening, New Zealand will look to continue their momentum as they face Bangladesh next in Rawalpindi on February 24. A win there would further cement their position at the top of the group and take them one step closer to the semi-finals.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand 320/6 in 50 overs (Will Young 108, Tom Latham 118*, Glenn Phillips 61; Naseem Shah 2/63, Haris Rauf 2/83)
Pakistan 260 all out in 47.2 overs (Babar Azam 60, Khushdil Shah 69; Will O'Rourke 3/47, Mitchell Santner 3/63)
New Zealand by 60 runs.
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