Babar Azam’s efficiency within the Champions Trophy 2025 has been a subject of debate after Pakistan misplaced to New Zealand (Pak vs NZ) within the opening encounter of the occasion.
Babar Azam confirmed willpower to attain runs, however his knock of 64 off 90 balls left followers wanting extra.
Regardless of reaching a half-century, Babar couldn’t convert it into a giant innings, which was essential for Pakistan of their chase of 321 within the Pak vs NZ match.
Babar Azam knew the significance of scoring at a faster tempo, particularly with Pakistan’s chase on the road.
As quickly as he reached fifty, Babar started taking dangers, seeking to speed up the innings.
Nevertheless, it wasn’t lengthy earlier than he fell to New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner. On a tossed-up supply from Santner, Babar Azam went for a sweep shot however ended up getting an enormous high edge.
The ball went up within the air in the direction of mid-wicket, the place Kane Williamson made a high-quality catch, sending Babar Azam again to the pavilion.
It was a vital second within the Pak vs NZ match, and the wicket of Babar Azam was a giant blow for Pakistan’s hopes within the Champions Trophy 2025.
Learn Extra: Champions Trophy 2025: Latham, Younger star as New Zealand outclass Pakistan
Centuries from Will Younger and Tom Latham, mixed with a robust bowling efficiency powered New Zealand beat Pakistan by 60 runs within the inaugural match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Nationwide Financial institution Stadium in Karachi.
Chasing a goal of 321, Pakistan struggled to realize momentum, shedding wickets at common intervals.
Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel opened the innings for Pakistan after their common opener, Fakhar Zaman, was compelled to sit down out for at the very least 25 minutes as a consequence of leaving the sphere throughout Pakistan’s bowling.
Saud Shakeel departed early, caught by Matt Henry off Will O’Rourke. Captain Muhammad Rizwan additionally fell cheaply, caught by Glenn Phillips off Will O’Rourke, leaving Pakistan reeling at 22-2 after 10 overs – their lowest residence ODI powerplay whole.
Fakhar Zaman, who batted at No. 4, partnered with Babar Azam so as to add 47 runs, however their gradual tempo put stress on the group. Fakhar Zaman’s departure marked the start of a collapse, with Salman Ali Agha’s 42 off 28 balls offering a short glimmer of hope.
Salman Ali Agha’s aggressive knock, which included six fours and a six, gave Pakistani followers one thing to cheer about. Nevertheless, his dismissal by Nathan Smith left Pakistan struggling at 127-4.
Tayyab Tahir did not make an impression, scoring only a single earlier than departing. In the meantime, Babar Azam accomplished his fifty and went on to attain 64 off 90 balls earlier than being caught with the scoreboard studying 153-6.
Khushdil Shah together with tail-enders tried to get nearer to the goal however Pakistan fell quick 60 runs. Khushdil Shah remained high scorer with 69 off 49.
Will O’Rourke finally removed him within the forty fourth over, leaving New Zealand with simply two wickets to win.
Down the order, Pakistan’s tailenders Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah put up some battle, however their efforts have been unable to assist their group win.
For New Zealand Mitchell Santner and O’Rourke picked up three wickets every whereas Matt Henry grabbed two wickets.
Tom Latham was adjudged participant of the match for his great hundred.
Bowling first, Pakistan bought off to a very good begin, taking two wickets inside 10 over as opener Devon Conway and Kane Williamson have been dismissed by Abrar Ahmed and Naseem Shah respectively.
Devon Conway may rating 10 off 17 deliveries earlier than being bowled by Abrar Ahmed within the eighth over. Within the very subsequent over, Kane Williamson (1) was caught behind by Mohammad Rizwan off Naseem Shah as New Zealand have been left 40-2.
Then Will Younger and Daryl Mitchell (10) put up a 33-run partnership earlier than the latter was dismissed by Haris Rauf.
With 73-3, Tom Latham joined Will Younger and the duo scored 118 runs for the fourth wicket. Will Younger was dismissed by Naseem Shah with New Zealand have 191 runs on the board however the right-handed opener already scored a ton.
Will Younger smashed 12 fours and a six as he scored 107 off 113 balls. Tom Latham, nonetheless continued to hammer Pakistani bowlers and accomplished his century with the assistance of 10 fours and three sixes.
He was nicely supported by Glenn Phillips who performed a blistering knock of 61 with a strike charge of 156. He smashed 4 sixes and three fours earlier than being dismissed by Haris Rauf within the final over. Tom Latham scored an unbeaten 118 off 104 deliveries.
For Pakistan, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf picked up two wickets every for 63 and 83 runs respectively. Abrar Ahmed additionally picked up a wicket for 47 runs in his 10 overs.