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- Will Young, Tom Latham hit centuries to guide New Zealand to 320-5 in Karachi
- Fast bowler Naseem Shah was the best Pakistan bowler, returning figures of 2-63
KARACHI: Will Young and Tom Latham hit sparkling centuries to guide New Zealand to 320-5 on Wednesday in the opening match of the Champions Trophy, marking Pakistan’s first international tournament in three decades.
New Zealand's Will Young celebrates after scoring century during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on February 19, 2025. (AP)
Tom Latham hit an unbeaten 104-ball 118 while opener Young scored 107 from 113 balls as New Zealand — sent in to bat by Pakistan — made the most of a flat National Stadium pitch.
New Zealand's Tom Latham celebrates after scoring fifty during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on February 19, 2025. (AP)
The eight-nation event was launched with country’s Air Force flying over the stadium to mark the occasion as thousands of fans, including President Asif Zardari, took their seats on a historic day.
On the field, Young and Latham revived the innings from 73-3 with a 118-run fourth wicket stand, helping their team overcome the early loss of Devon Conway (10), Kane Williamson (1) and Daryl Mitchell (10).
Young hit 12 boundaries and a six in his fourth one-day international century before holing out to Naseem Shah in the 38th over.
Pakistan's Naseem Shah celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of New Zealand's Will Young, caught out by substitute Faheem Ashraf during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on February 19, 2025. (REUTERS)
Latham and Glenn Phillips, who made an aggressive 39-ball 61, gave the innings more impetus as New Zealand smashed 113 in the last 10 overs and 64 in the last five.
Latham hit 10 boundaries and three sixes in his eighth one-day hundred while Phillips’s robust knock had four sixes and three boundaries.
Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi, right bowls as New Zealand's Tom Latham watches during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi on February 19, 2025. (AP)
Fast bowler Naseem Shah was the best Pakistan bowler with 2-63 but fellow pacers Haris Rauf finished with 2-83 and Shaheen Afridi conceded 68 in 10 wicket-less overs each.