New Zealand makes a good start after beating Pakistan
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photo: Collected
There was a flood of joy in Pakistan! The global cricket tournament returned to their country after many days. The whole country was in a festive mood. But in such an atmosphere, Mohammad Rizwan's team stumbled while playing the first match of the Champions Trophy. New Zealand surprised them by winning a big 60-run victory! The Kiwis made a good start by easily defeating the hosts.
Mitchel Santner's team is now relieved to lose to the hosts in the opening match of the Champions Trophy. After losing the toss and opting to bat, New Zealand scored 320 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 50 overs with centuries from Will Young and Tom Latham. In reply, Pakistan was all out for 260 runs in 47.2 overs!
Pakistan faced a disaster at the beginning after batting in response to 321 runs at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday. Opener Saud Shakeel returned to the dressing room after opening the team and his own run book. Babar Azam, who was at the other end, tried to pull the team back, but Fakhar Zaman and his men did not accompany him. Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan, who was out for three, left the field after opening the score, and the hosts lost 2 wickets for 22 runs.
Although the injured Fakhar Zaman was fine in the field, he could not shine with the bat. He was out for 24 runs in 41 balls. Salman Agha, who came on the field when Fakhar returned, tried to increase the run gap, but he played a quick innings in 31 overs, but he played an innings of 42 runs in 28 balls before being caught by Bracewell.
As soon as Babar Azam returned, scoring 64 runs in 90 balls, it was almost certain that Pakistan would not be able to win the match. Khushdil Shah, who played in the BPL, took over after that, but it was not saved.
Earlier, the Kiwis scored 320 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in the stipulated 50 overs. Will Young and Devon Conway, who opened the innings, looked promising, but they lost their first wicket in the 7th over. Devon Conway left the field after making 10 runs off 17 balls off the bowling of Pakistani leggie Abrar Ahmed.
Although no one else who came out on the field could hold their ground for long, Young continued to increase the team's runs by understanding well with Tom Latham. The visitors scored 113 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 25 overs.
Young saw another century in his ODI career at the beginning of the 35th over. However, three overs later, Young, who had scored the fourth century of his career, was dismissed by Naseem Shah. He completed his innings of 107 runs off 113 balls with 12 fours and a 1.
Then Latham continued to increase the team's collection along with Glenn Phillips. However, at the beginning of the last over, Phillips, who had played a 39-ball 61-run innings, was caught by Fakhar Zaman off the bowling of Haris Rauf. Latham remained unbeaten on 118 runs off 104 balls. In the allotted 50 overs, New Zealand scored 320 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf took 2 wickets each for Pakistan.
But the Pakistani cricketers could not have the last laugh till the end. The hosts' mission began with a loss. The Kiwis took the victory at the beginning.
