In a resounding display of cricketing prowess, New Zealand secured a 60-run victory over defending champions and hosts Pakistan in their Group A match at the National Stadium in Karachi. This win underscores New Zealand’s ambitions for the Champions Trophy.
Having been invited to bat, New Zealand made a poor start but bounced back strongly to post a huge total of 320 for 5. Will Young was the star of the show with a century, scoring 107 runs, and Tom Latham provided him with good support with an unbeaten 118. Glenn Phillips was another key contributor with a rapid-fire 61 runs as the team breached the 300-run mark that had seemed distant at the commencement.
Pakistan responded below par though as they were dismissed for 260 in 47.2 overs. Despite half-centuries from Babar Azam (64) and Khushdil Shah (69), the home side never kept up with the asking rate throughout their innings.
New Zealand team captain Mitchell Santner attributed the partnership of Young and Latham, stating, “The way Young and Latham rotated the strike and got the odd boundary really set us up.” According to him, the early target of the team had been 260-280 and stressed the importance of a good platform when wickets are available.
Bowling-wise, Santner and Will O’Rourke claimed three wickets each, choking any momentum Pakistan attempted to seize. The hosts suffered an early blow when their opening batsman Fakhar Zaman injured himself, derailing their hopes of recovery after losing two wickets early in the pursuit.
Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan reflected on the match, stating that New Zealand’s score surprised him. “We didn’t expect they would get 320. We thought around 260 when we took early wickets,” he stated, mentioning the game-altering performances by Young and Latham.
This defeat is Pakistan’s third consecutive loss to New Zealand in one-day internationals at home, which piles the pressure ahead of their must-win match against India on Sunday. Rohit Sharma’s India, fancied to win the tournament, start their campaign against Bangladesh on Thursday.
