Pakistan delivered a disappointing batting performance in the Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand at Karachi Stadium on Wednesday. The team set an unwanted record for slow batting, struggling to rotate the strike and build momentum throughout the match.
Babar Azam played 52 dot balls, while Fakhar Zaman faced 30 deliveries without scoring. Saud Shakeel played 15 dot balls, and Mohammad Rizwan added 11 more. In total, Pakistan’s batters played 162 dot balls out of 284 deliveries, significantly slowing down the team’s run rate.
Only Khushdil Shah and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha managed to resist New Zealand’s bowlers, but their efforts could not save Pakistan from a crushing defeat. New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack kept the pressure on, preventing Pakistan’s batters from finding any rhythm.
New Zealand took full advantage of Pakistan’s slow batting and secured a dominant 60-run victory. This defeat not only ruined Pakistan’s historic moment of hosting the Champions Trophy but also raised serious concerns about their batting approach in the tournament.
Pakistan must improve their strike rate and batting strategy in the upcoming matches to stay competitive. Fans and cricket analysts now wait to see how the team responds to this setback.
Pakistan’s coaching staff and management must address these batting issues before their next match. The team needs a more aggressive approach, with batters focusing on rotating the strike and punishing loose deliveries. Babar Azam, as the captain, must take charge and set the tone for the rest of the batting lineup. If Pakistan continues to struggle with slow batting, they risk early elimination from the tournament.
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Meanwhile, New Zealand has gained early momentum with this commanding win. Their bowlers executed their plans flawlessly, exposing Pakistan’s weaknesses and ensuring a comfortable victory. With this confidence boost, New Zealand will look to carry their winning form into the next matches. On the other hand, Pakistan must regroup quickly and prove that they can compete at the highest level in the Champions Trophy 2025.