Pakistan star batter who was criticised for his lack of form ahead of the Champions Trophy, slammed his 54th ODI fifty during the opening day match of the 2025 Champions Trophy against New Zealand at Karachi.
Babar secured his first half-century of the Champions Trophy 2025 in 81 deliveries and added hope in Pakistan’s mammoth run chase against Kiwi.
Speaking of the game, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first where Devon Conway and Will Young opened the inning for New Zealand. Pakistan star pacer Shaheen Afridi opened the bowling attack.
In the very first game of the Champions Trophy, Pakistan faced a massive blow as their left-handed opening batter Fakhar Zaman sustained an injury. Pakistan have included Kamran Ghulam as his replacement in the field.
New Zealand’s opening batters made a steady start and turned the loose deliveries in their favour. While New Zealand batters seen cemented, Abrar Ahmed dismissed Devon Conway for 10 in the third delivery of the 8th over and registered the first wicket of the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Abrar strikes! ☝
The first wicket of #ChampionsTrophy 2025 & it’s Devon Conway who departs!
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— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 19, 2025
In the very next over, Naseem Shah dismissed dangerous Kane Williamson for just one run and bagged the second wicket of the game. It is worth mentioning that Naseem Shah still needs just four wickets to complete 50 ODI wickets.
At the end of 10 overs, New Zealand managed to score 48 runs after losing two wickets. After losing two key players inside the first powerplay, New Zealand starts to play with caution.
Haris Rauf replaces Naseem in the 13th over and was welcomed with a maximum from Will Young. Both Young and Daryl Mitchell started to build a steady partnership while Pakistan bowlers sought an opportunity to break the partnership which pushed New Zealand to score 71 for two at the end of 15 overs.
Soon in the second delivery of the 17th over, Haris Rauf dismissed Mitchell for 10 and brought Pakistan back into the game. In the final delivery of the 17th over, with a single, Will Young scored first fifty of Champions Trophy 2025 which is also his 11th in the format.
At the end of 20 overs, New Zealand scored 93 runs after losing three wickets. Pakistan bowlers struggled to break the partnership as Tom Latham and Will Young made a stand for more than 70 runs which moved the team’s score to 151 for the same three wickets loss at the end of 30 overs.
The duo continued their momentum and secured a 100 runs stand which pushed New Zealand to score 175 at the end of 35 overs. During the process, Will Young secured his maiden century in the Champions Trophy in 107 deliveries.
Champion stuff! 🙌🏻#WillYoung completes a scintillating century on his #ChampionsTrophy debut against the defending champions! 👏🏻💯
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— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 19, 2025
Naseem Shah broke 118 runs stand between Young and Tom Latham in the second delivery of the 38th over by dismissing Will for 107 runs. Though Will Young was dismissed after securing a century, Tom Latham continued his aggression and went on to secure a century on his behalf.
Multiple hundreds in a team innings in the 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
Latham secured his hundred in just 95 balls and levelled Sachin Tendulkar’s record of scoring the fastest century in Champions Trophy. At the end of 50 overs, New Zealand scored 320 runs for five wickets loss.
While chasing, the hosts made a terrible start as their opening batter Saud Shakeel dismissed for just six runs while Pakistan’s team score was eight.
Soon William ORourke struck again and dismissed Pakistan captain Mohammed Rizwan for three runs. Pakistan lost two wickets for 24 runs at the end of 10 overs.
Pakistan’s 22 in the first power play against New Zealand is the lowest Power Play score by full member squad since 2024.
Lowest PP scores by Full Member Squad since 2024
- 22/2 – AFG vs SA, Sharjah, 2024
- 22/2 – PAK vs NZ, Karachi, 2025
- 23/4 – SL vs NZ, Wellington, 2025
Following a dreadful start, Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam started to build a partnership which pushed Pakistan to score 66 runs at the end of 20 overs. While things were seen promising for the hosts, Michael Bracewell broke the partnership by dismissing Fakhar Zaman for 24 runs in the fifth delivery of the 21st over.
Salman Agha then joined hands with Babar and started to add crucial runs on the scoreboard. The duo moved Pakistan’s score to 124 at the end of 30 overs. After Babar Azam secured his 54th ODI fifty in the 31st over, Salman Agha lost his wicket to Nathan Smith in the same over.
Composed under pressure! 🏏#BabarAzam brings up a crucial fifty, keeping Pakistan’s chase on track! Will he see the defending champions through? 👀🔥
📺📱 Start watching FREE on JioHotstar: https://t.co/T07mgtb2xJ#ChampionsTrophyOnJioStar 👉 #PAKvNZ LIVE NOW on Star Sports 2… pic.twitter.com/ZQuQ02bZpU
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 19, 2025
In the very next over, Santner dismissed Tayyab Tahir for 1 run and loaded pressure on the Pakistan batters. Though Pakistan lost back-to-back wickets in consecutive overs, Khushdil and Babar Azam starts to add crucial runs on the board.
