New Delhi: New Zealand thrashed Pakistan by 60 runs in the Champions Trophy opener in Karachion Wednesday after their opener Will Young and skipper Tom Latham hit sublime centuries in a rare feat of two centurions in an innings in the tournament, which maked the return of major global cricket tournament in Pakistan since 1996.
Young’s 107 off 113 balls and Latham’s unbeaten on 118, together with Glenn Phillips’ 39-ball 61 propped up the Kiwis to 320 for five at the National Stadium.
It was only the fifth time in the tournament that two centuries were hit in an innings by any team, the first of which was by India’s Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly against England in Colombo in the 2002 edition.
Pakistan wilted under the pressure of a big run chase, hobbling all along before being bowled out for 260 in 47.2 overs with Khushdil Shah top-scoring with a 49-ball 69 with Babar Azam making a 90-ball 64.
William ORourke (3/47) and Mitchell Santner (3/66) were the most successful NZ bowlers. But the hosts were never in contention during their run chase once the Kiwis reached 320 on the strength of Young’s fourth and Latham’s eighth centuries in the 50-over format.
Latham, Will tons power the Kiwis
Pakistan won the toss and elected to ball, possibly keeping in mind the dew that falls in the evening during this part of time in Karachi.
But Young and Latham made them rue that decision, through their struck fluents centuries as the Black Caps posted a healthy 320 for five.
Young hit 12 boundaries and a six, while Latham struck 10 fours and three maximums during their matured knocks.
Young held up one end of the wicket once New Zealand slumped to 40 for two and then 73 for three in the 17th over.
Young had been included into the team only because of an injury to Rachin Ravindra. Bit he played a leading role as he steadied their innings in partnership with Latham, putting on 118 runs for the fourth wicket.
Once Young was dismissed while looking to score quickly after reaching his fourth ODI hundred, Latham and Phillips went after the Pakistan bowling in the final 10 overs.
Multiple hundreds in a team innings in Champions Trophy
Virender Sehwag (126) & Sourav Ganguly (117*) vs ENG, Colombo (RPS), 2002
Chris Gayle (101) & Dwayne Bravo (112*) vs ENG, Ahmedabad, 2006
Shane Watson (136*) & Ricky Ponting (111*) vs ENG, Centurion, 2009 SF
Shakib Al Hasan (114) & Mahmudullah (102*) vs NZ, Cardiff, 2017
Will Young (107) & Tom Latham (100*) vs PAK, Karachi, 2025
Stats: Cricbuzz
Brief scores: New Zealand: 320/5 in 50 overs (Will Young 107, Tom Latham 118, Glenn Phillips 61; Naseem Shah 2/63).
Pakistan: 260 all out in 47.2 overs (Babar Azam 64, Khushdil Shah 69, Will O’Rourke 3/47).
New Zealand beat defending champions Pakistan by 60 runs in opening match of Champions Trophy in Karachi on Wednesday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
