PAK vs NZ highlights, Champions Trophy 2025: New Zealand breeze past hosts Pakistan in season opener

"I thought Pakistan bowled well, even through the middle stage, but the well Young and Latham rotated the strike and got the odd boundary really set us up. We were thinking 260-280, but it shows what you can do if you have a platform and wickets in hand. After the score we got, the first 10 overs with the ball were outstanding, the way our new-ball guys were able to smash a length. We built the run-rate pressure and were able to chip wickets throughout. We kind of expect that from Glenn [the catch], and getting Rizwan like that was outstanding. Tonight there wasn't much dew, maybe because of the wind, but hitting that slightly shorter lenght - 9-10m - was crucial for the quicks, and bowling a little slower for our spinners, we were able to get it to grip. And our ground fielding was outstanding, we were able to squeeze the new batsmen," Santner said.

"I think they made a very good target, we didn't expect they would get 320. We thought around 260 when we took early wickets. The Will Young-Latham partnership was crucial. We tried, but they played very smartly and that's why they got to that total. The pitch was not easy to bat early on, but Will Young and Latham's innings were crucial. Our execution in the end overs was not good, and that's why they made that score. [On Fakhar's injury] Let's see what the result from the [scan] is. We lost momentum twice, first in the death overs and then in the powerplay with the bat. Losing Fakhar Zaman [as opener] was crucial. We didn't want to put pressure on ourselves by thinking we are defending champions. This match is gone, and the next match is another normal match for us," Rizwan said.

"It was a slightly different surface to the ones we played on in the tri-series. The way Will Young batted, and the way GP played towards the end were brilliant. We were able to go through the gears a little bit more and increase the run rate, and when you have wickets in hand with these short square boundaries, you can make hay towards the end. The score we made was well above par. We didn't see that in the tri-series, but with the lack of dew, and with the wind, it probably turned a little bit more in the second innings," Latham said.

New Zealand take the last wicket, bundling out Pakistan for 260 runs. The hosts lose the season opener of the Champions Trophy 2025 to the Black Caps by 60 runs as Naseem Shah was the last wicket of the game.

Haris Rauf was on fire throughout his short-lived innings, scoring 19 runs in just 10 deliveries, the pacer hit three sixes against the New Zealand bowlers. Pakistan now, 260-9 after 47 overs.

Khushdil Shah, having scored 69 runs in 49 delvieries in a late stand for Pakistan, departed after looking to play another big shot. Will O'Rouke took his third wicket of the day as Pakistan are eight down with seven overs to go.

Khushdil Shah is trying to keep the hopes alive for Pakistan, completing his half century, his knocks seems to have come in a losing cause as New Zealand continue to take regular breakthroughs. After 42 overs, the Men in Green's score reads 213-7.

On a score of 64 runs in 90 deliveries, the resilient innings of ace Pakistan batter Babar Azam comes to an end. Aiming to play Mitchell Santer for a sweep, Babar hit the ball straight up in the air, which landed in the safe hands of Kane Williamson. Pakistan lose a crucial wicket as the Black Caps look to solidify a win.

Both Agha Salman and Tayyab Tahir have departed within short intervals. Agha Salman looked set on the crease but departed after scoring 42 runs in 28 deliveries. Shortly after his wicket, Tayyab Tahir was sent packing by Mitchell Santner. After 32 overs, Pakistan's score reads 130-5, needing 191 runs in 18 overs.

In a ray of shining hope for Pakistan, ace batter Babar Azam has completed his half-century. Scoring 50* runs in 81 deliveries, the star batter is looking to take Pakistan over the edge. After 30 overs, the hosts' score reads 124-3, needing 197 runs in 120 deliveries.

After 26 overs, Pakistan have scored 84 runs with the loss of three wickets. In a mammoth run chase of 321 runs, it continues to become increasingly likely for New Zealand to win the game. With Agha Salman and Babar Azam on the crease, the Men in Green need to put their foot on the pedal if they are looking to register a win.

A much-needed breakthrough for New Zealand. Michael Bracewell traps Fakhar Zaman just as he had started to look comfortable on the crease. Departing for 24 runs in 41 deliveries, the trouble continues to pile on for Pakistan. The score reads 69-3 after 21 overs, in a run chase which continues to look increasingly harder for the hosts. 

After two early wickets, the responsibility to take Pakistan over the edge has been given to Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman. Both batters look comfortable on the crease and have started to attack the Black Caps' bowlers. After 16 overs, Pakistan's score reads 55-2.

What an exceptional catch by Glenn Phillips as Muhammad Rizwan departs. Pakistan were just looking to deal with Saud Shakeel's early wicket, but Glenn Phillips' brilliance in the field saw star batter Rizwan depart as well. The star batter goes back to the pavilion after scoring just three runs in 14 deliveries.

With nine overs done with, hosts Pakistan have gotten off to quite a slow start to their run chase of 321 runs. With the early wicket of Saud Shakeel, Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam are looking to stabilise the side's innings. Pakistan's score reads 21-1 after the first nine overs.

Early blow for Pakistan!, Will O'Rouke strikes in his second over for New Zealand. As Saud Shakeel aimed to play a big shot after a slow start, the ball landed straight into the hands of Matt Henry as the Pakistan opener departed on a score of six runs.

Saud Shakeel and Babar Azam are out in the front as hosts Pakistan look to chase down a huge total of 321 runs in the second innings of the game. New Zealand's performances in the latter stages of the first innings could prove to be crucial for the Black Caps going forward.

New Zealand have posted a massive total of 320 runs on the board in their 50 overs. It looked far when they were 73/3 in the 17th over of the innings earlier in the day. But then, the duo of Will Young and Tom Latham notched up centuries to stun the crowd and Glenn Phillips provided the finishing touches with a quickfire fifty. Pakistan were poor in the field and lost all the control of the innings in the second half. Can Pakistan pull the chase off?

What a grand recovery this is from New Zealand!! First Will Young and now Tom Latham has scored a century. They were 73/3 at one stage and how superbly the Kiwis have recovered. Can they post a target of more than 300 runs?

New Zealand are 207/4 after 40 overs. Latham is batting on 67 and his partnership with Glenn Phillips will be key for the Kiwis.

Massive wicket for Pakistan. Will Young departed for 107 runs. Naseem Shah gave an important breakthrough. New Zealand are 191/4 after 37.2 overs.

Tom Latham completed his half-century in 61 deliveries. Terrific knock from the veteran.

Will Young take a bow!!! Brilliant from the youngster notching up a ton in the first game off 107 deliveries. It is important now that he continues to score quickly.

31 overs are done!! New Zealand are 151/3 and recovering from early blows. Young and Latham have done extremely well to keep the team in the hunt but they will have to up the ante now to post a total of close to 300. Young is getting close to a well deserved century while Latham is looking class apart as usual.

Young and Latham have stitched a half-century stand here as New Zealand are slowly recovering. But the run-rate has gone down drastically. Kiwis are 129/3 after 28 overs.

Proper ODI game in progress now in Karachi. 100 is up for New Zealand in the 23rd over of the innings. Young is batting on 66 and Latham is batting with him. Can they continue to accumulate runs?

Will Young has reached a well-deserved half-century!! He has looked a class apart for New Zealand even as they have lost three wickets.

Haris Rauf strikes now!! A poor shot from Daryl Mitchell and New Zealand are 73/3 in the 17th over. Pakistan are on top in Karachi and the crowd is delighted.

After 15 overs, New Zealand are 71/2 recovering from the quick wickets of Conway and Williamson. Young and Mitchell have done well and the Kiwis need them to continue the same way.

11 overs are done and New Zealand have reached 50. A proper ODI going on in Karachi. The Kiwis are recovering from recent blows and they desperately need a partnership now

Another one goes down and this time it is Kane Williamson!! Naseem Shah strikes for Pakistan and New Zealand are 40/2 in no time.

Devon Conway is gone!! Abrar Amed castles him and Pakistan get a much-needed breakthrough. Kane Williamson is next in for New Zealand who are 40/1 after 8 overs.

New Zealand openers Will Young and Devon Conway have started well here running quick singles. They are 17/0 after three overs.

A decent start with the ball from Shaheen Afridi!! But on the second delivery, Fakhar Zaman twisted his leg while trying to stop the ball. He is off the field for now and Pakistan will hope that it's not a serious injury.

Here we go!!! Shaheen Afridi is taking the new ball for Pakistan and Will Young will face him. 

Pakistan (Playing XI): Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w/c), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

New Zealand (Playing XI): Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, William ORourke

Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bowl first.

New Zealand have a job on their hands to post a good total on the board now.

Pakistan Squad: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan(w/c), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Usman Khan, Saud Shakeel

New Zealand Squad: Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, William ORourke, Jacob Duffy, Kyle Jamieson, Mark Chapman, Rachin Ravindra

Pakistan have never beaten New Zealand in the Champions Trophy. The Kiwis have won all three matches so far played in 2000, 2006 and 2009. Can Rizwan and his men turn things around today?

Finally!! After so many uncertainties, we are here, at the National Stadium in Karachi for the opening game of the ICC Champions Trophy. Pakistan are hosting an ICC event for the first time since 1996 and they are facing New Zealand in the opening game of the tournament. Both teams have faced each other so many times recently and New Zealand have had a wood on the hosts. But the pressure of an ICC tournament can change things. Will Pakistan bounce back or will the Kiwis continue their domination? Stay tuned for all the updates