New Zealand triumphed over Pakistan in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, held on February 19, 2025, in Karachi. Kiwi team Pakistan’s defeat by 60 runs.
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Poor Start in the Chase
Pakistan’s innings began disastrously, losing two key wickets early on. Saud Shakeel and captain Mohammad Rizwan were dismissed cheaply, leaving the team struggling at just 22 runs for the loss of two wickets after 10 overs. This slow start set a negative tone for the chase, as they faced tight bowling from New Zealand’s Will O’Rourke and Matt Henry, who exploited the conditions effectively.
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Inability to Build Partnerships
Despite a few individual contributions, notably from Babar Azam (64) and Khushdil Shah (69), Pakistan failed to establish significant partnerships throughout their innings. The batting lineup was inconsistent, with several players unable to convert starts into substantial scores. The lack of a solid partnership hindered their ability to build momentum in the chase.
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Leaking Runs in Bowling
Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to contain New Zealand’s scoring during crucial phases of the game. New Zealand amassed 320 runs, with Tom Latham and Will Young both scoring centuries. In particular, Pakistan conceded 113 runs in the last 10 overs of New Zealand’s innings, which proved detrimental as it set a daunting target of 321 runs.
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Slow Batting Approach
The batting strategy employed by Pakistan was criticized for its lack of aggression. Babar Azam’s innings was marked by a slow scoring rate, which limited Pakistan’s ability to keep up with the required run rate. The team’s overall approach lacked intent, especially in the powerplay overs where they faced a high number of dot balls.
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Fielding and Bowling Issues
Pakistan’s fielding and bowling performance were subpar. The bowlers did not utilize enough variations, particularly slower balls, which could have troubled the New Zealand batsmen as the pitch slowed down. Additionally, fielding errors added to their woes, compounding their struggles throughout the match.
These factors combined led to Pakistan’s defeat by 60 runs, marking a disappointing start to their Champions Trophy campaign.
