New Zealand thrash Pakistan by 60 runs in Champions Trophy 2025 opener

The Mitchell Santner-led side are off to a sizzling start in the Champions Trophy 2025, beating hosts Pakistan with a sensational overall performance, powered by centuries from Will Young and Tom Latham.

Chasing a daunting target of 321, the host nation lost opener Saud Shakeel in the fourth over of the chase, and from then on the Mohammad Rizwan-led never really looked well settled in the chase.

After the dismissal of Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan tried to rebuild the innings with Babar Azam, but an unbelievable catch from Glenn Phillips at backward point saw the Pakistan skipper walk back to the dugout for just three runs.

New Zealand's bowlers showed resilience throughout the powerplay, leaving Pakistan tottering at 22/2 at the end of the first 10 overs, paving the way for a solid win.

Fakhar Zaman (24) and Babar Azam took over the reins from then on, guarding both ends of the crease with their defensive strokeplay to pull Pakistan back but their effort was undone by sensational bowling from the Black Caps, who were led by sizzling three-wicket hauls from skipper Santner (3-66) and Will O'Rourke (3-49).

Salman Agha (42) stepped in along with Babar, taking Pakistan forward in the chase before the Black Caps struck twice off consecutive overs to take the upper hand in the game, dismissing the well-set Agha and Tayyab Tahir for 42 and 1 respectively.

Santner went on to grab his second of the night with the dismissal of Azam on 64, leaving the home side in deep trouble, after dismissing Tahir off his previous over.

Khushdil Shah fought fire with fire with a clutch 69 despite Pakistan's earlier setbacks, but it wasn't enough to help his side cross the line as they were bowled out for 260 in 47.2 overs.

Earlier, with New Zealand's back against the wall after early wickets from Pakistan, opener Will Young and wicketkeeper-batter Tom Latham notched centuries as the Black Caps posted a daunting total of 320/5 in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener.

The Kiwis were toiling at 73/3 when Young combined alongside Latham to add 118 runs for the fourth wicket.

Young looked at ease in the middle as he found boundaries at regular intervals to ease down the pressure on the Kiwis after an early flurry of wickets for the hosts. En route to his fourth ODI century, Young pumped 11 fours and one maximum.

The opener's innings (107 of 113) however, came to an end as Naseem Shah induced a miscued shot and substitute fielder Faheem Ashraf latched onto the catch.

(With ICC inputs)