KARACHI: Pakistan, the defending champions and tournament hosts, suffered a heavy defeat against New Zealand in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Karachi. Chasing a challenging target, Pakistan’s batting lineup faltered under the pressure as New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack took control of the game. Despite a promising start from their openers, the middle order collapsed, leading to a 60-run loss that stunned the home crowd. The result marks a disappointing beginning for Pakistan, who entered the tournament with high expectations of defending their title.
New Zealand, on the other hand, showcased their class with a dominant all-around performance. Batting first, they set a competitive total with contributions from key players who adapted well to the conditions. Their top order built a strong foundation, while the middle-order batsmen accelerated towards the end, ensuring a challenging target for Pakistan. The New Zealand bowlers then executed their plans to perfection, applying consistent pressure and capitalizing on the weaknesses in Pakistan’s batting lineup. Their disciplined approach and sharp fielding sealed a convincing victory.
Pakistan’s bowlers had moments of brilliance but struggled to contain New Zealand’s aggressive batting. Despite early breakthroughs, their inability to control the scoring rate in the death overs proved costly. Spinners found some grip on the Karachi pitch, but the New Zealand batsmen countered with well-calculated aggression. The hosts will need to rethink their strategies moving forward, particularly in balancing their attack to prevent opposition teams from running away with big totals. Their bowling unit must deliver with more precision in the upcoming matches.
As the tournament progresses, Pakistan will aim to recover from this setback and regain momentum in their campaign. Their fans remain hopeful that the team can bounce back with stronger performances in the remaining group stage matches. However, this loss serves as a wake-up call, highlighting areas that require immediate improvement. With tough opponents ahead, Pakistan must regroup quickly, work on their batting resilience, and ensure their bowlers execute their plans effectively to keep their title defense alive.
