New Delhi: Pakistan began their Champions Trophy 2025 journey with a 60-run defeat to New Zealand in Karachi on Wednesday. In pursuit of a challenging target of 321 runs, Pakistan struggled to establish momentum as their top-order batsmen delivered sluggish performances. After the first 10 overs, the team managed only 22 runs for the loss of 2 wickets, with Babar Azam scoring 12 runs off 27 balls and Mohammad Rizwan adding 3 runs off 14 balls. By the 15-over mark, Pakistan had reached 49 runs for 2 wickets, with Babar on 22 runs from 37 balls. After 20 overs, they had only accumulated 66 runs for 2 wickets. The scoring rate improved notably when Salman Agha entered the game, as he contributed a brisk 42 runs off 28 balls.
Ravichandran Ashwin commented on Babar’s performance, likening it to the story of “The Tortoise and the rabbit.”
Babar’s journey to 50 coupled with Salman Ali Agha’s batting has to be the best depiction of ” The Tortoise and Rabbit story” . #ChampionsTrophy
Pakistan’s attempt to chase down 321 runs against New Zealand in their opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy can be described as slow and cautious, resulting in a 60-run defeat for the defending champions in Karachi on Wednesday.
New Zealand has secured its fourth victory against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy, maintaining an unbeaten record against the defending champions. Pakistan faces a challenging situation as their upcoming match against India, a fierce rival, will be crucial for their chances of advancing. The team’s performance was hindered by slow innings from Saud Shakeel, captain Mohammed Rizwan, and Babar Azam.
In their pursuit of 321 runs, Pakistan had a shaky beginning as Saud Shakeel was dismissed by Will O’Rourke for 6 runs off 19 balls, with a thick edge that was caught by Matt Henry at third man. At that point, Pakistan’s score stood at 8 for 1 after 3.4 overs.
Pakistan’s captain Mohammed Rizwan and Babar Azam collaborated, adopting a cautious approach to their innings as they concluded the first 10 overs with a score of 22 runs for the loss of 2 wickets. Rizwan was dismissed for 3 runs off 14 balls, thanks to an impressive diving catch by Glenn Phillips, marking O’Rourke’s second wicket.
Babar was accompanied by Fakhar Zaman, who contributed with several impressive shots. With a boundary hit by Babar, Pakistan achieved the milestone of 50 runs in 15.2 overs.
Fakhar attempted to demonstrate his aggression, but a delivery from Michael Bracewell caught him off guard, resulting in his dismissal. At that point, Pakistan’s score was 67 runs for 3 wickets in 20.5 overs.
Salman Agha then took to the crease, showcasing his aggressive batting style alongside the more cautious approach of Babar. Pakistan achieved the milestone of 100 runs in 27.1 overs.
Agha was managing to handle the spinners effectively, but Babar’s sluggish innings created additional pressure on him. He eventually lost his wicket to Nathan Smith after scoring 42 runs off 28 balls, which included six fours and a six. At that point, Pakistan’s score was 127 for 4 in 30.4 overs.
Babar scored his 35th fifty in One Day Internationals, reaching the milestone in 81 balls and hitting five fours.
Santner dismissed Tayyab Tahir for just 1 run, which left half of the team back in the pavilion at a total of 128 runs. He also ended Babar’s slow innings, which consisted of 64 runs off 90 balls, including six fours and a six. At that point, Pakistan’s score was 153 for 6 after 34 overs.
Following Babar’s out, the scoring rate increased as Khushdil Shah struck several boundaries off the spinners.
Khushdil contributed to Pakistan achieving a score of 200 runs in 41 overs.
Shaheen was dismissed by Matt Henry after scoring 14 runs off 13 balls, which included a six. At that point, Pakistan’s score was 200 for 7 in 41 overs.
Khushdil scored his half-century in 38 deliveries, hitting six fours and one six. A partnership of 29 runs between Shah and Haris Rauf ended when O’Rourke dismissed Shah, who made 69 runs off 49 balls, including 10 fours and one six. At that point, Pakistan’s score stood at 229/8 in 44 overs.
Rauf and Naseem Shah provided excitement for the audience with several impressive shots, but Santner dismissed Rauf after he scored 19 runs off 10 balls, including three sixes. Henry then took the final wicket, getting Naseem Shah out for 13 runs off 15 balls. Pakistan was all out for 260 runs in 47.2 overs.
O’Rourke (3/47) and Santner (3/66) were the leading bowlers for New Zealand. Matt Henry claimed two wickets, while Bracewell and Nathan each took one wicket.
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