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. 

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is about to start, and the match today is a thrilling encounter between Pakistan and New Zealand. The match will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi and is all set to begin at 2:30 PM IST (Indian Standard Time). Cricket enthusiasts around the globe are waiting for the live match to be viewed through different TV channels and online streaming websites.

• Match : NZ VS PAK
• Date: February 19th, 2025
• Time:  2:30 PM IST
• Venue: Karachi

LIVE STREAMING DETAILS

ALSO READ: PAK vs NZ Today Match Prediction – Who Will Win? | Match 01, ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Preview & Analysis

NEW ZEALAND

Rachin Ravindra/ Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Will O Rourke, Matt Henry

PAKISTAN

Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khusdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed 

On the opening day of the third Test at the Wankhede Stadium, New Zealand’s Will Young fought back valiantly after an early setback against India’s disciplined spin attack. Opting to bat, New Zealand faced some early struggles as Washington Sundar’s incisive spell claimed two quick wickets. However, Young’s gritty innings kept the visitors in the contest as he notched up a well-deserved fifty, taking New Zealand to 130/3 by the second session.

Sundar’s spell brings India back into the game

After New Zealand lost Devon Conway early to Akash Deep, the visitors found a brief reprieve with a 44-run stand between Tom Latham and Will Young. But Washington Sundar’s entrance turned the tables for India. With his flight and drift troubling the New Zealand batters, Sundar struck a decisive blow by dismissing Latham, who misjudged the line and had his stumps rattled. The off-spinner continued his spell of dominance, delivering another similar beauty to bowl Rachin Ravindra, who was left shaking his head as he walked off. Sundar’s 2-26 provided India with critical breakthroughs, keeping the game evenly poised.

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Will Young’s gritty fifty rescues New Zealand

Despite the setbacks, Young displayed resilience and continued to score freely when opportunities arose. As the Indian spinners began to find more grip off the pitch, Young reached his fifty with a commanding six straight down the ground, showcasing his confidence and determination. Alongside Daryl Mitchell, he ensured New Zealand avoided further damage, with the pair steadying the innings through the growing turn and bounce on offer. At 60 off 115 deliveries, Young’s innings was a testament to his focus and skill, as he faced down India’s spinners and kept New Zealand in the fight.

As the second session progresses, the Wankhede surface is starting to offer more assistance to the spinners, which could make batting even more challenging for New Zealand. Ravindra Jadeja has already shown signs of turn, and the Indian bowlers will look to capitalize on the conditions to keep the pressure on the visiting side.

In a gripping Super Smash 2023-24 encounter between Wellington and Central Districts, fielder Troy Johnson left fans in awe with a stunning tag catch, removing Districts opener Will Young. Positioned at mid-on, Johnson displayed exceptional athleticism during the sixth over of the second innings, chasing down Young’s lofted drive at the boundary. Despite being close to the line, he skillfully ran backward and completed a remarkable catch.

Although initially comforting himself, Troy Johnson managed to throw the ball to teammate Nick Kelly, who ultimately secured the catch. While both fielders were confident, the decision went to the umpires for review. Replays confirmed Johnson’s feet were inside the boundary when he held the ball, leading to Young being given out.

Turning to the match, Wellington set a target of 147/8 in 20 overs. Logan van Beek shone with an unbeaten 41 runs off 24 balls, rescuing Wellington in the slog overs. Openers Nathan Smith and Nick Greenwood faltered, and skipper Nick Kelly departed early, but Muhammad Abbas steadied the innings with partnerships of 27 and 24 runs for the fourth and fifth wickets, respectively. Abbas contributed 35 runs with 1 four and 2 sixes.

In pursuit of the target, Central Districts made a decent start, adding 36 runs with openers Will Young and Jack Boyle. Young fell for 7 runs due to Johnson’s brilliance, but Boyle went on to score a half-century, posting 57 runs off 43 balls with 10 fours. Tom Bruce and Doug Bracewell sealed the chase, remaining unbeaten on 26 and 30 runs, respectively. Central Districts secured a six-wicket victory, reaching the target in under 17 overs.

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Despite the defeat, Wellington retains the top spot in the Super Smash 2023-24 points table, winning five out of eight matches. Central Districts holds the third position, staying competitive in the tournament.