Credit: Star Sports
In the maiden Champions Trophy 2025 match between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi, Tom Latham shone with his bat and brought his eighth ODI century in just 95 balls. The 32-year-old walked into the middle after New Zealand saw themselves in trouble after losing three batters at a score of 73 in 16.2 overs. Fielding first after winning the toss, Pakistan looked dominating as they removed Devon Conway (10 off 17) and Kane Williamson (one off two) in quick succession but Will Young held his nerves and took Pakistan’s bowling unit to the cleaners. After Daryl Mitchell’s departure, Latham joined Young and stitched an 118-run partnership to help his team gain the momentum. Young returned to the dugout after scoring 107 off 113 but Latham stood at the crease and continued the onslaught against the defending champions.
The Young-Latham duo shattered Pakistan’s confidence as they not only failed to take wickets but also looked miserable at containing runs. After Young’s wicket, Glenn Phillips walked out into the middle and delivered a nightmare to Pakistani bowlers. He played a 61-run knock off just 39 deliveries, with three fours and four maximums. Riding on Latham’s unbeaten 118 (104) and Phillips’s rapid knock, New Zealand racked up 320 runs in their 50 overs.
Pakistan will expect their key batters to step up to complete the chase successfully
After the miserable bowling show, Pakistan will expect their batters to show nerves of steel to chase down the huge target. Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam haven’t looked impactful recently but both will have to be at their best in the remainder of the game. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan has looked in fine touch in the last few games and he will look to flex his muscle again.
In the Champions Trophy, the Kiwi side have an upper hand over Pakistan as they have got the better of the Green Shirts on three occasions. In the 2009 Champions Trophy, New Zealand shattered Pakistan’s dream of winning their maiden title with a five-wicket win in the semi-final played in Johannesburg.
