New Zealand’s opening batsman Will Young played a crucial knock in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against Pakistan at the National Stadium, Karachi. Despite losing early wickets, Young displayed remarkable composure to bring up his 11th ODI half-century, helping his team stabilize their innings.
Young’s Resilient Knock: Key Stats
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Will Young | 51* | 57 | 5 | 1 | 89.47% |
- Fifty came in 56 balls, showcasing his ability to rotate strike and punish loose deliveries.
- His knock included some beautifully timed boundaries, ensuring the scoreboard kept ticking despite Pakistan’s tight bowling attack.
- His innings was instrumental in keeping New Zealand in the game after losing Conway (10), Williamson (1), and Mitchell (10) early in the innings.
Match Summary (After 17.1 Overs)
| Team | Score | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 78/3 | 17.1 |
| Pakistan | Yet to Bat | – |
Fall of Wickets:
- 39-1 – Devon Conway (b Abrar Ahmed)
- 40-2 – Kane Williamson (c Rizwan b Naseem Shah)
- 73-3 – Daryl Mitchell (c Shaheen Afridi b Haris Rauf)
Bowling Performance (Pakistan’s Key Bowlers)
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaheen Afridi | 3 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 6.00 |
| Naseem Shah | 5 | 0 | 24 | 1 | 4.80 |
| Abrar Ahmed | 5 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 3.20 |
| Haris Rauf | 3 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 5.33 |
| Khushdil Shah | 1.1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2.57 |
Match Insights & Updates
- Will Young’s knock has been the highlight for New Zealand so far, as he brought up his half-century in challenging conditions.
- Pakistan’s bowlers have kept the pressure on, with Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, and Naseem Shah picking up crucial wickets.
- The match is still in an exciting phase, with New Zealand aiming to set a competitive total.
As Young continues to anchor the innings, New Zealand will look to push their total beyond 250+, while Pakistan will aim to break this crucial partnership and restrict the opposition to a manageable score.
Stay tuned for more updates on this thrilling Champions Trophy 2025 clash!
