Champions Trophy: Who said what as Pakistan capitulate against New Zealand in Karachi-OxBig News Network

Pakistan were hammered by 60 runs in their opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Wednesday, February 19 at National Stadium, Karachi. The hosts were off to a disastrous start in their chase, having been reduced to 22/2 in ten overs. Pakistan were eventually bundled out for 260 in 47.2 overs, losing the game by 60 runs as they got their title defence off to a miserable start.

Following his team’s hammering, captain Mohammad Rizwan rued the loss of momentum in the middle overs, crediting Tom Latham and Will Young for their game-changing partnership. He also mentioned how Fakhar Zaman’s inability to come out to bat in his original position derailed their chase right from the get-go.

PAK vs NZ Champions Trophy 2025 Highlights

“”I think they made a very good target, we didn’t expect they would get 320. We thought around 260 when we took early wickets. The Will Young-Latham partnership was crucial. We tried, but they played very smartly and that’s why they got to that total. The pitch was not easy to bat early on, but Will Young and Latham’s innings were crucial. Our execution in the end overs was not good, and that’s why they made that score,” said Rizwan in the post-match presentation.

“[On Fakhar’s injury] Let’s see what the result from the [scan] is. We lost momentum twice, first in the death overs and then in the powerplay with the bat. Losing Fakhar Zaman [as opener] was crucial. We didn’t want to put pressure on ourselves by thinking we are defending champions. This match is gone, and the next match is another normal match for us,” he added.

On the other hand, New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner credited Pakistan for bowling well in the middle stages and praised Tom Latham (118*) and Will Young (107) for their game-changing knocks. The duo added 118 runs (126 balls) for the fourth wicket after the Kiwis were on 73/3. Latham also got involved in a 125-run partnership off just 74 balls with Glenn Phillips (61 off 39) to propel his team’s score to 320.

“I thought Pakistan bowled well, even through the middle stage, but the well Young and Latham rotated the strike and got the odd boundary really set us up. We were thinking 260-280, but it shows what you can do if you have a platform and wickets in hand. After the score we got, the first 10 overs with the ball were outstanding, the way our new-ball guys were able to smash a length. We built the run-rate pressure and were able to chip wickets throughout. We kind of expect that from Glenn [the catch], and getting Rizwan like that was outstanding,” said Santner in the post-match presentation.

Tom Latham wins Player of the Match award

Following his match-winning innings, Latham was adjudged Player of the Match. The southpaw praised both of his batting partners, Will Young and Glenn Phillips, for massive partnerships. He also mentioned how the lack of dew helped their spinners turn the ball in the second innings.

“Yeah, certainly helps when you played on a surface before. Felt nice to contribute, Will Young played exceptionally and then to get to 320 was just brilliant. When I came in, it was about building a partnership. We could do that and then improve the run rate, and then GP came in and played an exceptional hand once again. Gave us the momentum to get through to the second innings. At the back end, you want to get as many as you can. Glad we could today. There was a lack of dew today so the ball turned quite a bit, it was better to bowl second with conditions like that,” said Latham.