Tom Latham and Will Young struck commanding centuries as New Zealand dismantled Pakistan in a clinical Champions Trophy opener

New Zealand delivered a statement of intent in Karachi, crushing Pakistan by 60 runs in the Champions Trophy opener. Twin centuries from Tom Latham and Will Young powered the Black Caps to a formidable 320-5 before a sluggish Pakistani chase unravelled, leaving their semi-final hopes in early jeopardy.

Inserted to bat first, New Zealand wobbled early, losing three wickets—including Kane Williamson for just one—but found stability through Young and Latham. Young, stepping in for the injured Rachin Ravindra, compiled a composed 107, setting the foundation for a controlled acceleration. Latham then took charge, his unbeaten 118 anchoring the innings alongside Glenn Phillips, whose blistering 61 from 39 balls added late impetus.

Pakistan’s response faltered from the outset. The early loss of Muhammad Rizwan, courtesy of a spectacular one-handed grab by Phillips, set the tone for a laboured innings. By the time Salman Ali Agha injected some aggression with 42 from 28 balls, the required rate had already spiralled out of control. Babar Azam’s painstaking 64 provided little momentum, leaving Khushdil Shah’s defiant 69 as a mere consolation. Will O’Rourke (3-47) ensured the chase never truly ignited, bundling Pakistan out for 260 in the 48th over.

For New Zealand, it was a victory built on calculated tempo—a masterclass in pacing an ODI innings before unleashing in the final 10 overs. For Pakistan, the match was a brutal lesson in intent, their top order’s hesitancy leaving them with an insurmountable mountain to climb.

New Zealand’s tactical discipline was evident not just with the bat but also in their bowling execution. Trent Boult and Matt Henry choked Pakistan’s scoring in the powerplay, forcing risky strokes that led to soft dismissals. Ish Sodhi’s middle-over control further compounded Pakistan’s troubles, with his variations keeping the batters guessing. Despite a brief counterattack from the lower order, the Black Caps never lost their grip on the contest.

The defeat leaves Pakistan with plenty to ponder ahead of their next fixture. Their batting lacked urgency, and the absence of a reliable finisher was glaring. With their semi-final hopes now dependent on a strong comeback, Babar Azam’s side must quickly address their intent issues and find a way to counter teams that thrive on disciplined strategic execution.