New Zealand set Pakistan to chase 321
KARACHI: Will Young and Tom Latham struck centuries to power New Zealand to 320-5 in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against Pakistan here at National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.
Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan invited New Zealand to bat first and his bowlers proved the decision right by inflicting early damage.
Abrar Ahmed castled Devon Conway (10), while star batter Kane Williamson (1) fell prey to Naseem Shah, leaving the Black Caps struggling at 40-2.
Will Young and Daryl Mitchell (10) stitched a 33-run stand for the third wicket to stabilise the innings before Haris Rauf struck.
Following Mitchell’s wicket, Young forged a partnership of 118 runs with Tom Latham to take the team’s total to 191 inside 38 overs.
Young completed his century during the partnership, however, he fell prey to Naseem soon afterwards. He departed after scoring 107 runs from 113 balls with the help of 13 boundaries, including one six.
Glenn Phillips joined Latham and together they wreaked havoc, smashing 125 runs from 74 balls for the fifth wicket partnership.
Phillips struck 61 runs off 39 balls with four sixes and three boundaries before he fell to Haris Rauf in the final over.
Meanwhile, Latham remained unbeaten on 118 runs from 104 balls to take his team’s total to 320-5 in their allocated 50 overs. His innings featured ten boundaries and three sixes.
For Pakistan, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf took two wickets each, while Abrar Ahmed bagged one.
