In the opening match of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, New Zealand defeated defending champions Pakistan by 60 runs at Karachi’s National Stadium. Opting to bat first, New Zealand overcame early setbacks to post a formidable total of 320/5. The innings was anchored by centuries from Will Young (107) and Tom Latham (118*), who stabilized the team after losing three wickets for 73 runs. Their 118-run partnership for the fourth wicket was pivotal, and a brisk 61 from Glenn Phillips further bolstered the total. Pakistan’s bowlers, including Naseem Shah (2/63) and Haris Rauf (2/83), made early inroads but couldn’t contain the middle-order resurgence.
Chasing 321, Pakistan’s innings faltered early, with openers Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan dismissed cheaply. Fakhar Zaman (24) and Babar Azam (64) attempted to rebuild, but regular wickets hindered momentum. Khushdil Shah’s aggressive 69 off 49 balls provided some hope, yet Pakistan ultimately succumbed, being bowled out for 260 in 47.2 overs. New Zealand’s bowlers, led by Mitchell Santner (3/66) and supported by Michael Bracewell and Will O’Rourke, applied consistent pressure to secure the victory.