Hosts and defending champions Pakistan had a horrible start to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. In addition, the team has been fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan lost the opener by 60 runs

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 started with the Group A Pakistan vs New Zealand match at the National Stadium in Karachi last Wednesday (February 19). After the Blackcaps were sent to bat first, they scored 320/5, thanks to twin centuries from Will Young and Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips’ firing batting performance. 

In reply, Pakistan's top-order batters provided a very slow start, which never matched the chase despite some aggressive batting performances later. The hosts were all out for 260 runs. The 60-run loss was a big defeat for the hosts, as the tournament hardly provided a second chance. 

On Thursday, Pakistan expectedly got bad news as Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out from the tournament after suffering an injury on the second ball of the tournament. Imam-ul-Haq has replaced him. 

See Also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025 (Group A) Pak vs NZ: Pakistan manage shameful home record; New Zealand create history

Pakistan players penalised for slow over-rate

Now, the ICC has penalised the Pakistan team for a slow over-rate offence in the tournament opener. The team was found one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration. Due to not completing 50 overs on time, Pakistan were forced to bowl the last two overs of the New Zealand innings with only four fielders outside the 30-yard circle.

Due to one over short of the target after time allowances, Pakistan players have been fined five percent of their match fees. The fine has been imposed under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences.

After the on-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Sharfuddoula, third umpire Joel Wilson, and fourth umpire Alex Wharf levelled the charge, match referee Andy Pycroft imposed the sanction. There is no formal hearing required after Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan’s acceptance of the charge and penalty. 

Hosts and defending champions Pakistan had a tough outing in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand, and the situation has become tougher for them as the dependable and powerful opening batter Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out from the tournament. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also announced the replacement.

Fakhar Zaman was injured on the second ball of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

On the second ball of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan cricketer Fakhar Zaman, who was the hero for Pakistan in the Final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 against India to lift the trophy for the first time, was injured while saving a boundary. After returning the ball to the closest fielder, Fakhar signaled for medical attention as he quickly went off the field. He missed the game for more than two hours before returning to the field in the late moment of the New Zealand innings. As a result, he couldn't come to bat for the first 25 minutes of Pakistan's innings.

Fakhar ultimately came to bat after the first powerplay, while the hosts lost the first two wickets. Chasing the 321-run target against New Zealand, Fakhar was struggling to run and mostly dealing with the boundaries. He scored 24 off 41 balls with four fours before losing his wicket. Pakistan lost the game by 60 runs. 

See Also: India Fielding Comes Under The Radar Where Hardik Drops A Sitter

Imam-ul-Haq replaced Fakhar Zaman

Fakhar has suffered an oblique injury, and he has been ruled out of the remainder of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The PCB has named Imam-ul-Haq as the replacement for the Pakistan opener. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved this replacement.

Fakhar and Imam were once the opening partners for the national team. The 29-year-old Imam-ul-Haq played his last international match in December 2023 when Pakistan faced the hosts Australia in the 2023 Boxing Day Test at Melbourne. The left-handed batter's last ODI was against South Africa in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. 

In a big blow to the Pakistan cricket team, opener Fakhar Zaman has been out of the big match against India on Sunday after suffering an injury in the first match of the Champions Trophy. Zaman walked off the field clutching his lower back after making a fielding attempt to stop the ball from reaching the boundary.

🚨 BREAKING 🚨

Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman will not be traveling with the team to Dubai for the highly anticipated showdown against India ❌

The aggressive left-hander suffered an injury in the opening game against New Zealand and is now likely to miss the remaining two… pic.twitter.com/nKGAmNYPOB

— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) February 20, 2025

Despite the injury, Zaman batted for a while but could not open the innings. He came in to bat at No. 4 but his battle with injury seemed apparent. His agonizing stay lasted 41 balls during which he made a free-flowing 24 before being caught by Michael Bracewell.
The India-Pakistan encounter is scheduled for Sunday (February 23) in Dubai. It is a virtual elimination match for Pakistan to remain alive in the competition.

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New Zealand Overwhelm Pakistan
New Zealand comprehensively won the first match of the Champions Trophy 2025 by 60 runs. Tom Latham (118) and Will Young (107) played outstandingly to lead the side to 320/5 in their 50 overs.

Pakistan, who are already down one game, would play India in a do-or-die encounter in Dubai with full knowledge that their tournament may be over if they lose. The India game will be played on February 23.

The much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025 started with the Group A match between the hosts and defending champions Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday (February 19). New Zealand started the tournament with a 60-run win. 

After Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan chose to field first, New Zealand scored 320/5 in 50 overs, and the hosts replied with 260 all out. Now, we are going through some key records of the tournament opener. 

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Key Match Stats of Pakistan vs New Zealand

Will Young and Tom Latham guide New Zealand to big total

• New Zealand batters Will Young and Tom Latham hit centuries. It was the fifth time in ICC Champions Trophy history with two centuries in an innings. 
• Tom Latham (118*) became the third wicketkeeper-batter to record a century in ICC Champions Trophy history. The other two names are Zimbabwean Andy Flower (145 vs India in 2002) and Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara (134* vs England in 2013).
• With his 118*, Tom Latham recorded the second highest individual score by a New Zealand batter in ICC Champions Trophy history. The record is 145* by Nathan Astle against the USA at The Oval in the 2004 edition.
• New Zealand scored 320/5 in 50 overs. It was their second highest total in ICC Champions Trophy history. Their record is 347/4 against the USA in the 2004 The Oval match. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s 320/5 was the seventh highest total in ICC Champions Trophy history.
• New Zealand’s 320/5 was the second highest total for a team against the hosts in the ICC Champions Trophy history. The record is 323/8 by England against the hosts South Africa at Centurion during the 2009 edition. 

See Also: New Zealand create ICC Champions Trophy history with twin centuries

Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf had a forgetable outing

• Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf ended with the bowling figures of 10-0-83-2. It was the most runs conceded by a hosts’ bowler in main ICC ODI tournament history (ICC ODI World Cup and ICC Champions Trophy). Previously, English bowler Paul Allott (1/82 against Sri Lanka in the ICC Cricket World Cup 1983), New Zealand bowler Tim Southee (2/82 against West Indies in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015), and English bowler Jake Ball (1/82 against Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017) jointly held the record.
• With his 2 for 83 runs bowling figures, Haris Rauf recorded the second most expensive bowling figures by a Pakistan bowler (Wahab Riaz 8.4-0-87-0 vs India in 2017) and the joint fourth most expensive bowling figures among the overall bowlers in ICC Champions Trophy history. 

Pakistan very slow start

• With 22/2, Pakistan recorded their lowest-ever first 10 overs score in a home ODI.

Khushdil Shah broke Champions Trophy record against New Zealand

• Pakistan batter Khushdil Shah completed his 50 runs in 38 balls. It was the fastest half-century record against New Zealand in ICC Champions Trophy history. English legend Alastair Cook was the previous record holder with a 39-ball fifty during the 2013 edition. 

Pakistan suffered a record defeat

• Pakistan lost the match by 60 runs. It was the largest defeat (by runs) for the hosts in ICC Champions Trophy history. The previous record was South Africa losing by 55 runs against Sri Lanka during the 2009 edition.
• New Zealand have won all their four matches against Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy history. 

Pakistan has not had an easy time against New Zealand in the past ten days, losing three successive matches in crucial games. The Kiwis have been in great shape, dominating Pakistan in every department. Here's a brief rundown of how events went:

Pakistan in the last 10 days against New Zealand:

8th Feb - NZ beat PAK in Tri series.

14th Feb - NZ beat PAK in Tri series Final.

19th Feb - NZ beat PAK in Champions Trophy.

- THE DOMINATION OF NEW ZEALAND..!!!! pic.twitter.com/C7MB5fuI0B

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) February 19, 2025

ALSO SEE: Pat Cummins Withdraws from MLC 2025 Due to Workload and Injury Concerns

February 8, 2025 – Tri-Series Match
The series opened with New Zealand posting a record 331, aided by a fantastic 106* by Glenn Phillips. Pakistan resisted with Fakhar Zaman's 84 but fell short and were bowled out for 252. Black Caps are off to a good start.
February 14, 2025 – Tri-Series Final
Pakistan got an opportunity to get their revenge in the final but their batting failed once again, scoring just 242 runs. New Zealand chased it easily, with Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell guiding them to a five-wicket win.
February 19, 2025 – Champions Trophy Group Match
The biggest stage, but the same outcome. New Zealand maintained their winning streak against Pakistan, claiming another win and showing their dominance.
The Takeaway
Three losses, three games – it has not been a good period for Pakistan. New Zealand, on the other hand, have demonstrated why they are amongst the most consistent sides in world cricket. Pakistan will have to regroup and return stronger in their upcoming games.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 started in a very unique way at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. Before the opening match, there was an air show to encourage the fans and to start the competition. Fans who were having a great time watching the show, some of the New Zealand players reacted in a funny way they hid under the tables when the air show was going on.

New Zealand players and fans got scared after hearing the sound of the Air show in Karachi. ✈️😂#PAKVNZ #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/8wBNClPKc6

— CricXtasy (@CricXtasy) February 19, 2025

On the grandstand of the ICC Champions Trophy, the airplanes showed a great sight that could not be missed. However, the sun is heavy and Devon Conway kneels and tries to protect himself. His teammates seemed not to realize what was going on at first. When they did, they, as well, laughed it off. But as it turned out, the fans in Karachi weren't paying attention to the show but rather to the hilarious reactions of the players.  After that, this topic became a hot topic in the social media.

ALSO READ: Watch: Pakistan get major blow in first over of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Convey Reaction says everything 😭

The players thought it was bombs being thrown.#ChampionsTrophypic.twitter.com/DHFODtUdty

— 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐚𝟏𝟕 🦁 (@AgastyaCult) February 19, 2025

Even before New Zealand's innings could start, the funny incident took place, due to Pakistani captain Mohammad Rizwan electing to field first after winning the toss. Although the airshow had been planned to grandly greet the team, it ended up with hilarious reactions from the players. Cricket lovers burst into laughter as soon as we saw the players' reactions. Someone cracked a joke, "They had a moment where they thought something else was happening!". This is just the beginning of the Champions Trophy, but this comic interlude has already made the tournament more effective.

Hosts and defending champions Pakistan have got a major blow in the first over of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as their ICC Champions Trophy 2017 Final hero suffered an injury on the field. 

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 started with the Group A match between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday (February 19) afternoon. Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan chose to field first after winning the toss.  

As expected Shaheen Shah Afridi delivered the first over of the tournament while Will Young opened the innings along with his partner Devon Conway. Afridi delivered the first ball to Young which resulted in a dot ball. On the second ball of the tournament, Young drove Afridi’s fuller and wider delivery to the cover and ran for three runs. 

See Also: Afghanistan’s Oldest and Youngest Players Set for Champions Trophy 2025 Glory

Fakhar Zaman injured

Fakhar Zaman ran to save a boundary but during his fielding, he was injured. He pulled up and immediately signaled for medical attention. He seemed not ok as he went off the field and Kamran Ghulam replaced him on the field. Fakhar was holding his lower back. His injury details will be known soon.

Fakhar Zaman Injury #iccchampionstrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/OUMQjknTr2

— yogendracrick (@cricketlover672) February 19, 2025

Fakhar Zaman recorded his first ODI century during the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 Final win

If the injury concern becomes serious, it will be very bad news for the defending champions as the 34-year-old left-handed top-order batter is known for his powerful strikes. He was the hero of the Pakistan team when they beat the defending champions India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 Final to lift the trophy for the first time. It was his first ODI century as he scored 114 off 106 balls that powered Pakistan to manage a total of 338/4, and they won by 180 runs.    

In the world of cricket, the rivalries are fierce, but occasions of warmth and sportsmanship rise above them. Such was the case before the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final when a photo of MS Dhoni cradling Sarfaraz Ahmed's son, Abdullah, became viral. 
How the Iconic Photo Was Taken
Sarfaraz recently related the story behind the now-iconic photo in an interview. He remembered sitting in the lobby of the hotel with his family when he saw Dhoni in the vicinity. Aware of what a legend Dhoni is, Sarfaraz requested that Dhoni take a photo with his son. Dhoni, made the memory that would last him a lifetime.

Sarfaraz Ahmed shares the heartwarming story behind MS Dhoni's viral photo with his son❤️
See here: https://t.co/FUByLkS64B pic.twitter.com/tcnPNfuDGo

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) February 17, 2025

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It's More Than Just a Picture
The photo struck with people from both Pakistan and India. It was not about cricketand it was about humanity, respect, and the commonality that across national boundaries. Even in a major tournament, these kinds of gestures remind us of the essence of the game.
A Lesson in Sportsmanship
Moments such as these justify the term cricket as the "gentleman's game." Sarfaraz thanked Dhoni for his courtesy and appreciated the wonderful memory. Moments such as these transcend competition and leave behind stories that fans tell forever.
The Legacy of This Beautiful Moment
Years down the line, this photo still reminds everyone of the friendships among players. Although teams fight hard on the ground, outside the playing arena, respect and courtesy always manage to shine through.

Ex-India opener Aakash Chopra has selected Pakistan's projected Playing XI for the coming Champions Trophy. In an unexpected turn of events, he shifted Babar to No. 3 following his opening stint in the recent tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa.

Shifting Babar Azam to No. 3 position means a position in the opening slot. Aakash Chopra believes Saud Shakeel can shift up the batting order to pair with Fakhar Zaman at the top, and that will enable Babar to bat at his preferred position.

Aakash Chopra Playing XI for theICC Champions Trophy 2025 :

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Aakash Chopra players to watch :

Aakash Chopra selected three Pakistani players who would be the ones to watch. They are Saud Shakeel, Khushdil Shah, and Abrar Ahmed. All three of them are capable of delivering spin bowling with Abrar being the specialist.Chopra opted to take a solid line-up which has good options in the bowling unit. Still, there remains some doubt over Haris Rauf's availability who suffered injury in the tri-series.Abrar Ahmed is the lone specialist spinner in the team with Salman Ali Agha also expected to help him with his off-spin bowling. Khushdil Shah can also roll his arm over as he did in the recent tri-series.

Babar Azam became the joint-quickest to reach 6,000 runs in ODI cricket. The Pakistan sensation reached the milestone while playing an ODI tri-series final between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi on Friday, February 14. Babar reached the milestone quicker than India's batting  sensation Virat Kohli. 

A Milestone to Remember:
Babar reached the 6,000-run milestone in his 123rd innings and 126th match. Previous South Africa opener Hashim Amla also had the record after  reaching the milestone in an equal number of innings. Virat Kohli reached the milestone in 2014, reaching 6000 runs in his 136th innings during an ODI against Sri  Lanka  in Hyderabad.

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FASTEST TO 6,000 ODI RUNS BY INNINGS :

This feat contributes to the burgeoning history of Babar Azam as among the greatest players in today's game of cricket. His leadership coupled with his batting  skill has positioned him among the most revered cricketers of today.

Babar was the fastest to 5,000 ODI runs when he got to the milestone in just 97 matches in May 2023. However, since the ODI World Cup, big runs on a consistent basis have eluded Babar. In his last seven innings in ODIs, Babar has managed just two fifty-plus scores.