New Zealand posted a commanding total of 320/5 against Pakistan in the opening match of ICC Champions Trophy at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi, on Wednesday.
Opting to bat first, Young and Latham each scored crucial centuries, establishing a game-changing fourth-wicket partnership.
New Zealand’s innings began on a rocky note as spinner Abrar Ahmed bowled out Devon Conway for 10 in the eighth over. Quick wickets followed as pacers Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf dismissed Kane Williamson (1) and Daryl Mitchell (10), reducing New Zealand to 73/3 in 16.2 overs.
Amidst the early setbacks, wicketkeeper-batsman Latham, who recently hit a match-winning half-century in the tri-nation ODI series final, teamed up with Young. Their resilient 118-run stand for the fourth wicket significantly boosted New Zealand’s position.
For Pakistan, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf both claimed two wickets, while Abrar Ahmed took one.
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PLAYING XIs
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w/c), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, William ORourke
