New Zealand cricketer Glenn Phillips is outstanding in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against the hosts and defending champions Pakistan. After scoring valuable runs with the bat to guide the Blackcaps to a strong total at the National Stadium in Karachi, Phillips took a stunner to dismiss Pakistan in-form captain Mohammad Rizwan in early of the innings. 

After asking the visitors to bat first, hosts Pakistan have got a big target of 321 runs in the tournament opener, where the pitch wasn't smooth enough for the batters. Chasing down the big target, Pakistan openers failed to provide strong start. As Fakhar Zaman couldn't bat for the first 25 minutes of the innings due to his absent in the first innings after an injury. 

See Also: ICC Champions Trophy is also very important for us: Rohit Sharma

Glenn Phillips stunner removed Mohammad Rizwan

At the end of the first powerplay, Pakistan only managed to score 22 runs and they lost two wickets, including the skipper Mohammad Rizwan's wicket on the last ball of the 10th over. It was a short and wide delivery from the in-form Blackcaps pacer Will O’Rourke, Rizwan went for a cut short which travelled over the backward point, and Glenn Phillips grabbed that chance spectacularly to purchase an important wicket for his team. Rizwan only managed to score three runs off 14 balls. 

THAT IS OUT OF THIS WORLD 😲

Glenn Phillips with an absolute Stunner to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan UNBELIEVABLE pic.twitter.com/9av4IThlag

— Sports Production (@SSpotlight71) February 19, 2025

Glenn Phillips scored valuable 61 off 39 balls

Earlier in the first innings of the match, opener Will Young and the no.4 batter set the tone of the innings, which resulted in twin centuries from them. However, Glenn Phillips became the crucial difference between the teams by slamming 61 runs off 39 balls with the help of three fours and four sixes. Although he scored 17 off the first 21 balls, that cautious start paid him off at the end. He later, delivered with the fielding and bowling. Apart from the stunning catch, Phillips also saved many runs with his outstanding fielding.