Introduction
The refurbished National Stadium in Karachi welcomed back a major ICC tournament with a full house, but Pakistan’s fans had little to cheer as New Zealand played the role of party spoilers. Tom Latham (118*) and Will Young (107) orchestrated a masterclass, stitching together a game-changing fourth-wicket stand that propelled the Black Caps to a formidable 320/5. In response, Pakistan faltered in the chase, succumbing to a 60-run defeat.
Latham, who had ended his dry spell with a half-century in the recent tri-series final at the same venue, built on that momentum with a classy unbeaten 118. Young, making an unexpected entry due to Rachin Ravindra’s injury, crafted a well-rounded century, balancing his runs evenly between front-foot and back-foot play. Their 118-run partnership helped New Zealand recover from an early stumble on a pitch that offered variable bounce, setting the foundation for a match-winning total.
New Zealand’s Batting Masterclass
New Zealand’s innings was anchored by a 118-run partnership between Tom Latham and Will Young, who turned the game around after an early stumble. Latham, fresh off a half-century in the recent tri-series final, continued his fine form with an unbeaten 118, including 10 fours and 3 sixes. Young, who replaced the injured Rachin Ravindra, crafted a well-paced century, balancing his innings with elegant drives and cuts.
The Black Caps faced early setbacks, losing Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, and Daryl Mitchell within the first 17 overs. However, Latham and Young steadied the ship, navigating Pakistan’s spin attack with precision. Young’s century came off 107 balls, making him only the fourth New Zealander to score a Champions Trophy hundred. Latham followed suit, reaching his eighth ODI century in just 92 deliveries.
A late onslaught from Glenn Phillips (61 off 39 balls) ensured New Zealand capitalized on their platform, adding 113 runs in the final 10 overs. This late surge pushed the total to a formidable 320/5, setting a challenging target for Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Chase Falters Under Pressure
Chasing 321, Pakistan’s innings got off to a rocky start. With Fakhar Zaman injured after just two balls, the hosts struggled to find momentum. The first 10 overs yielded just 22 runs for 2 wickets, thanks to a disciplined spell from Will O’Rourke (3-47). Saud Shakeel fell to a mistimed cut, while captain Mohammad Rizwan was dismissed by a spectacular diving catch from Glenn Phillips.
Babar Azam (64) tried to anchor the innings, but his strike rate of 71 added pressure on the middle order. Khushdil Shah (69 off 49) and Salman Ali Agha (42 off 28) fought valiantly, but New Zealand’s bowlers maintained their composure. Mitchell Santner (3-66) and O’Rourke ensured Pakistan’s chase never gained momentum, eventually bowling them out for 260 in 47.2 overs.
Key Moments of the Match
- Tom Latham’s Unbeaten 118: A classy innings featuring 10 fours and 3 sixes.
- Will Young’s Century: A well-paced 107, balancing aggression and composure.
- Glenn Phillips’ Late Blitz: 61 off 39 balls, propelling New Zealand to 320/5.
- Will O’Rourke’s Spell: 3-47, including crucial early wickets.
- Pakistan’s Middle-Order Fight: Khushdil Shah (69) and Salman Ali Agha (42) tried to revive the chase.
Match Summary:
🏏 New Zealand 320/5 (50) – Tom Latham *118 (10×4, 3×6)**, Will Young 107, Naseem Shah 2-63
🏏 Pakistan 260 (47.2) – Khushdil Shah 69 (49), Babar Azam 64, Will O’Rourke 3-47, Mitchell Santner 3-66
🟢 New Zealand won by 60 runs