Pakistan vs New Zealand LIVE Scorecard, Champions Trophy 2025: Babar Azam Stands Strong, But Pakistan Suffers Early Blow in the Chase
The first match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is being played between Pakistan and New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. This match is crucial for both teams, as the winner will gain an early advantage in the tournament. New Zealand, batting first, has set a challenging target of 320 runs for Pakistan. In response, Pakistan has had a shaky start, but captain Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel are at the crease, trying to stabilize the innings.
New Zealand’s Innings – A Strong Start
New Zealand put up an impressive batting performance after opting to bat first. Will Young played a brilliant century, anchoring the innings and helping his team reach a formidable total. Tom Latham also contributed with a crucial half-century. Pakistan’s bowlers struggled in the early overs, allowing New Zealand to capitalize and post a high score.
New Zealand’s Batting Performance:
- Will Young – 112 runs (115 balls)
- Tom Latham – 72 runs (68 balls)
- Daryl Mitchell – 38 runs (30 balls)
- James Neesham – 41 runs (25 balls)
New Zealand finished their innings at 320/7 in 50 overs.
Pakistan’s Bowling – Who Made an Impact?
Pakistan’s bowling unit had a mixed performance. Naseem Shah and Abrar Ahmed managed to pick up crucial wickets, but the middle overs proved costly as the bowlers leaked runs. This allowed New Zealand to build a strong total.
Pakistan’s Bowling Performance:
- Naseem Shah – 10 overs, 64 runs, 2 wickets
- Abrar Ahmed – 10 overs, 55 runs, 2 wickets
- Shaheen Afridi – 10 overs, 70 runs, 1 wicket
- Hasan Ali – 10 overs, 62 runs, 1 wicket
Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali proved expensive, which helped New Zealand accelerate in the final overs.
Pakistan’s Chase – Babar Azam Under Pressure
Pakistan’s chase did not start well as they lost their first wicket in the opening over. Fakhar Zaman was dismissed for just 4 runs, followed by Imam-ul-Haq, who could only manage 12 runs before getting out.
Pakistan’s Early Batting Performance:
- Fakhar Zaman – 4 runs (6 balls)
- Imam-ul-Haq – 12 runs (15 balls)
After these early setbacks, Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel took charge, trying to rebuild the innings. Babar, known for his excellent technique, looked solid at the crease.
Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel’s Partnership:
Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel focused on rotating the strike and ensuring no further wickets fell. New Zealand’s bowlers, especially Trent Boult and Tim Southee, bowled with great discipline in the powerplay, making scoring difficult.
Babar Azam played some classy shots, boosting Pakistan’s confidence. Saud Shakeel also looked in good rhythm, complementing Babar well.
Can Pakistan Win from Here?
Chasing 320 runs is not an easy task, especially after losing early wickets. However, with Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel at the crease, Pakistan still has hope.
For Pakistan to win, Babar Azam needs to play a long innings, and the middle order must provide solid support.
Current Match Score:
- Pakistan: 75/2 (after 15 overs)
- Babar Azam – 35 runs (45 balls)
- Saud Shakeel – 28 runs (32 balls)
Where to Watch the Match Live?
Fans can watch the match live on the Star Sports Network on TV. For online streaming, it is available on JioCinema and Hotstar.
Conclusion – Can Pakistan Pull Off a Victory?
New Zealand has taken control of the match with a strong batting performance, but Pakistan is still in the game with Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel batting well.
For Pakistan to secure victory, the middle order must step up. If Babar Azam scores a century and the lower-order batsmen contribute effectively, Pakistan can chase this target successfully.