The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has kicked off, and what a start it has been! The opening match between New Zealand and Pakistan was an absolute thriller, with the Kiwis emerging victorious by 60 runs. In this post, we’ll relive the excitement of NZ vs PAK, a Thrilling Encounter in ICC Champions Trophy.
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Match Highlights
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first. Their decision paid off, as they posted an impressive 320/5 in 50 overs. The standout performers were:
Will Young: Scored a brilliant century (107) to become the first batter to reach three figures in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Tom Latham: Remained unbeaten on 118, his eighth ODI ton, to guide New Zealand to a challenging total.
New Zealand’s bowlers were equally impressive, restricting Pakistan’s batting lineup. The standout performers were:
Mitchell Santner: Claimed 3/66 in 10 overs, including the crucial wicket of Babar Azam.
Matt Henry : Took 2/25 in 7.2 overs: Claimed 3/66 in 10 overs, providing crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs.
Pakistan’s Struggle Against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025
Pakistan’s chase got off to a decent start, but they struggled to keep up with the required run rate. Despite some valiant efforts, they were bowled out for 260 runs in 47.2 overs.
The top scorers for Pakistan were:
- Babar Azam: Scored 64, but his innings was cut short by a brilliant catch.
- Khushdil Shah: Played a fighting knock of 69, but it wasn’t enough to take Pakistan over the line.
Pakistan’s bowlers had a tough time containing New Zealand’s batting lineup, but some of them showed promising signs.
The standout performers in the ICC Champions Trophy
- Naseem Shah: Took 2/63 in 10 overs, including the wicket of Will Young and Kane Williamson.
- Haris Rauf: Picked up 2/83 in 10 overs, bowling at an economy rate of 8.30.
- Abrar Ahmed: Claimed 1/47 in 10 overs, including the wicket of Devon Conway.
Turning Point: New Zealand vs Pakistan ICC Champions Trophy
New Zealand’s bowling attack was the difference-maker in the match. Their bowlers maintained a tight leash on the Pakistani batsmen, making it difficult for them to score freely. The turning point came when Pakistan lost a few quick wickets, which put pressure on their middle order.
Conclusion
The NZ vs PAK, a Thrilling Encounter in ICC Champions Trophy lived up to its billing. New Zealand’s dominant performance with the bat and ball ensured they got off to a winning start in the tournament. Pakistan, on the other hand, will need to regroup and come up with a better strategy to compete with the top teams.
Stay tuned for more updates and analysis from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025!
