Pakistan defeated by a huge margin of 60 runs in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy.
New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 60 runs in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy. Mitchell Santner and Will O’Rourke took 3 wickets each.
Pakistan set an unwanted record for the slowest batting average against New Zealand in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy.
In the opening match of the event played at the National Stadium in Karachi, New Zealand set Pakistan a target of 321 runs to win, in pursuit of which the Green Shirts were bundled out for 260 runs. For detailed stats, check the pak vs nz scorecard.
Chasing 321 runs, Pakistan could only score 22 runs for the loss of two wickets in the first 10 overs, which is their worst powerplay score on home ground.
After the early wickets of opener Saud Shakeel and captain Muhammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman tried to play big shorts against the Kiwi bowlers, but he too was out to Bracewell’s ball after scoring 24 runs.
Earlier, Saud Shakeel returned to the pavilion after scoring 6 runs off 19 balls while Muhammad Rizwan scored 3 runs off 14 balls.
Salman Ali Agha, along with Babar Azam, took the team to a total of 127 for the fourth wicket, but Salman was caught out while trying to hit a powerful short. He played an innings of 42 runs off 28 balls.
The Kiwis got their fifth wicket early when Tayyab Tahir returned to the pavilion after scoring one run on a total of 128.
Babar Azam was able to resist the Kiwi bowlers for 64 runs. He was caught out for a total of 153 while trying to hit a high shot off Santner’s ball.
Later, Shaheen Shah Afridi was dismissed by Matt Henry after scoring 14 runs.
Khushdil Shah played a brilliant innings of 69 runs off 49 balls, giving Pakistan hope of victory again.
He was dismissed in the 44th over when Pakistan’s score was 229/8.
Haris Rauf (19) and Naseem Shah (13) put up some fight but by then it was too late.
The Green Shirts team was bundled out for 260 runs in the 48th over.
It should be remembered that they will face arch-rivals India in Dubai on February 23.
Earlier, New Zealand scored 320 runs for the loss of 5 wickets against Pakistan thanks to brilliant centuries from Tom Latham and Will Young.
Will Young returned to the pavilion after scoring a brilliant century (107 off 113 balls) in the 38th over.
As soon as Glenn Phillips came in, the Pakistani bowlers launched a blistering attack. Thanks to Tom Latham’s brilliant innings of 118 not out off 104 balls, New Zealand scored 320 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in the allotted 50 overs.
For Pakistan, Abrar Ahmed took one wicket for 47 runs in 10 overs. Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf took two wickets for 63 and 83 runs respectively.
Khushdil Shah (40 runs in 7 overs), Shaheen Shah Afridi (68 runs in 10 overs) and Salman Ali Agha (15 runs in 3 overs) failed to take any wickets.
Earlier, in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy, Pakistan won the toss against New Zealand and decided to field first.
National team captain Muhammad Rizwan won the toss and decided to field first at the National Bank Stadium Karachi. He said that there is a possibility of dew in the evening, so he has decided to bowl, he will try to present a better game against the visiting team and start the tournament with a win.
On this occasion, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said that they are optimistic about winning the match and will try to set a big target against the hosts Pakistan and put them under pressure.
There has been a change in the Pakistan team, with fast bowler Haris Rauf being included in the team in place of all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.
On the other hand, social media users are strongly criticizing the national team, especially Babar Azam, for their defeat by New Zealand. Fans are visibly upset over Babar Azam’s slow innings.
A user mocked Pakistan’s slow batting in pursuit of a target of 321 runs by posting a meme based on a scene from a Bollywood film.
One user said that Babar Azam was not playing for the country but for the ODI rankings.
ICC Champions Trophy Pakistan XI:
Muhammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed.
ICC Champions Trophy New Zealand XI:
Captain Mitchell Santner, Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Matt Henry, Nathan Smith and Will O’Rourke
