In the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, New Zealand scored 320 runs for 5 wickets in 50 overs against Pakistan.
Champions Trophy opening match: New Zealand sets a target of 321 runs for Pakistan
New Zealand’s batting continues in the match played at the National Bank Cricket Stadium Karachi.
Earlier, national team captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and elected to field. Pakistan’s first victory was given by spinner Abrar Ahmed and Devon Conway, who scored 10 runs on a total score of 39, was clean bowled.
In the next over, Naseem Shah caught Kane Williamson behind the wickets for just one run and sent him to the pavilion, Daryl Mitchell scored 10 runs and returned to the pavilion after being caught by Shaheen Shah Afridi off Haris Rauf.
After the fall of the first three wickets, the Kiwi batting line-up recovered, Will Yong and Tom Latham strengthened the team’s position by sharing a vital partnership of 118 runs, Will Yong was dismissed by playing an innings of 107 runs with the help of a six and 12 fours.
Fakhar Zaman suffers injury
Meanwhile, Pakistani batsman Fakhar Zaman suffered an injury while fielding early in the match.
Fakhar Zaman suffered a muscle strain while fielding, the Pakistani opener came to the field after some time but then went back.
The PCB says that Fakhar Zaman’s muscle strain is being investigated, but after some rest, Fakhar Zaman once again came out to field.
We are defensive champions, there will be some pressure: Mohammad Rizwan
Earlier, talking after the toss, captain Mohammad Rizwan said that a change has been made in the Pakistan team and Haris Rauf has been included in the team in place of Faheem Ashraf.
Mohammad Rizwan said that the defense is the champion, there will be some pressure, there is a possibility of dew in the evening, so decided to bowl while not repeating the mistakes of the tri-series and will perform better, the effort will be to dismiss New Zealand for a low score.
On the other hand, Kiwi captain Mitchell Santner said that he is completely satisfied with the team’s combination, will perform better.
Pakistani squad
Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Khushdil Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf
New Zealand squad
New Zealand squad: Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Centre, Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Will Orwicky.
Looking at the statistics, 118 matches have been played between the two teams so far, in which Pakistan’s lead is heavy, in 61 matches, the national team hit the field, while 53 matches were named after New Zealand, one match tied and 3 matches proved to be inconclusive.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and his daughter Asif Bhutto Zardari also attended the opening ceremony of the Champions Trophy.
During the opening ceremony, paf aircraft performed a spectacular flypast, paf aircraft welcomed guests from all over the world by saluting.
The air force comprising JF-17, F-16 and Sher Dil Shaheen saluted the nation by spreading the colors of green halali flag in the air.
