New Zealand beat Pakistan by 60 runs to win tournament opener in Karachi

By our Special Correspondent

Babar Azam and Khushdil Shah scored gritty half centuries but Pakistan lost by 60 runs to New Zealand, their 4th straight defeat to the Kiwis, in the first match of the Champions Trophy 2025 at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday. The Men in Green lost wickets at regular intervals and opener Fakhar Zaman’s injury did not help matters as the Kiwis raced away with the win thanks to William O Rourke and Mitchell Santner taking 3 wickets apiece.

                   Earlier, Will Young and Tom Latham scored centuries to help New Zealand score 320. Under the lights, Pakistan will have to chase 321. While Young departed for 107 runs after scoring his first century away from New Zealand, Latham made his century off just 95 balls. There was also a blitz from Glenn Phillips who scored 61 runs off 39 balls.