Third consecutive failure, bowling unsuccessful, batters couldn't do anything either

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As soon as Pakistan's journey in the Champions Trophy began, a 'speed breaker' came in the form of New Zealand, who defeated Pakistan by 60 runs, making a strong start. This is Pakistan's third consecutive loss to the host team, the Kiwis, in recent days. Chasing a target of 321, the hosts were all out for 260. Despite a solid 69 from Khushdil Shah and a slow 64 from Babar Azam, Pakistan’s batsmen and bowlers failed to perform.

Earlier, New Zealand, invited to bat first by Pakistan, posted 320 runs for 5 wickets. Will Young and Tom Latham both scored centuries, while Glenn Phillips added a blistering 61 runs. Pakistan's bowlers were again hit hard in the final overs, conceding 113 runs in the last 10 overs, with 64 of those coming in just 5 overs. Pakistan's fielding also let them down on several occasions.

The match, played at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, started with Pakistan chasing the target of 321 runs in a slow manner. Fakhar Zaman, who had been off the field for a while due to an injury, was not allowed to open due to the rules. Saud Shakeel was dismissed for just 6 runs, caught off Will O’Rourke's delivery, leaving Pakistan struggling. Babar and Mohammad Rizwan played cautiously. Rizwan was dismissed when Phillips took a stunning catch at backward point, leaving Pakistan at 22/2 in 10 overs.

Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman put together 47 runs before Fakhar was dismissed for 24 by Bracewell. Babar continued to play cautiously, forming a 58-run partnership with Salman Ali Agha. However, Salman was caught off Smith’s delivery, and the score stood at 128/5. Babar reached his fifty off 81 balls but was dismissed for 64 runs off 90 balls, caught by Williamson off Santner's delivery. 

Khushdil Shah continued to fight with a superb knock of 69 runs off 49 balls, hitting 10 fours and 1 six, but was eventually dismissed for by Will O’Rourke. Shaheen Afridi (14), Haris Rauf (19) and Naseem Shah (13) were also dismissed, with Pakistan bowled out for 260 runs in 47.2 overs. Santner and O’Rourke each took 3 wickets, while Henry claimed 2 wickets.

Earlier, in response to Pakistan's invitation to bat, New Zealand scored 320/5. They had a steady start with Will Young and Devon Conway putting up 39 runs in 7.3 overs before Conway was dismissed for 10 runs by Abrar Ahmed. Kane Williamson, after getting off the mark, was caught by Rizwan off Naseem Shah's delivery for just 1 run.

Will Young anchored the innings, scoring 107 runs off 113 balls, including 12 fours and 1 six. Alongside Darryl Mitchell, who made 10 runs, they built a 33-run partnership. Haris Rauf broke the stand by dismissing Mitchell, but Young and Tom Latham continued to build a strong partnership, adding 118 runs.

New Zealand's scoring accelerated when Latham and Glenn Phillips brought the innings to life. Phillips scored a quick 61 runs off 39 balls, with 3 fours and 4 sixes, before he was caught by Fakhar Zaman in the the last over. Latham remained not out on 118 runs off 104 balls, with 10 fours and 3 sixes, and Bracewell was also not out at 0.

Pakistan's bowlers, including Shaheen Shah, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah, struggled, conceding big runs in the death overs.