Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan admitted that his team did not expect New Zealand to post 320 runs in the first innings. Despite taking early wickets, poor execution in the death overs led to Pakistan’s 60-run loss in their Champions Trophy 2025 opener at the National Bank Stadium.
New Zealand’s Strong Batting Performance
New Zealand overcame an early setback to build a commanding total. Will Young (107) and Tom Latham (118)* played crucial roles, displaying resilience and tactical skill. After Young’s dismissal, Glenn Phillips changed the game with an explosive 61 off 39 balls, striking at 156.41 with three boundaries and four sixes.
Speaking after the match, Rizwan acknowledged New Zealand’s impressive total.
“We didn’t expect them to reach 320. After taking early wickets, we thought they would settle around 260. But Young and Latham played smartly, and their partnership was crucial. Our execution in the final overs wasn’t good, which allowed them to reach that score,” he stated.
Pakistan’s Disappointing Chase
Despite playing in front of a home crowd witnessing an ICC tournament match in Pakistan for the first time since 1996, Pakistan’s batting failed to deliver.
Early dismissals of Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan left the team struggling. Babar Azam, Pakistan’s key batter, managed only 64 off 90 balls, slowing down the chase significantly. Without momentum, the team found itself in a difficult position and eventually fell short.
Pakistan Faces a Tough Road Ahead
This loss puts Pakistan in a challenging position ahead of their high-stakes clash against India. The defending champions must address their batting concerns, particularly their lack of intent and slow starts. With Bangladesh also in their group, the path to the semi-finals has become more difficult. Any further slip-ups could be costly.
Rizwan Stresses No Extra Pressure Against India
Despite the upcoming must-win match against India, Rizwan remained calm. He emphasized that his team will treat it as a normal game and avoid unnecessary pressure.
“We lost momentum twice—first in the death overs and then during the powerplay while batting. Losing Fakhar Zaman was crucial. But we won’t pressure ourselves by thinking about defending our title. This match is over, and the next one is just another game for us,” Rizwan added.
Pakistan now has little room for error. Their response against India will be crucial in keeping their Champions Trophy hopes alive.
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