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New Zealand defeated Pakistan by nine wickets in the first match of the five-match T20 series at Hagley Oval on Sunday to gain a 1-0 lead.

After being asked to bat first, the Pakistan team struggled against a disciplined New Zealand bowling attack and were bundled out for 91, with Kyle Jamieson leading the charge by picking up crucial wickets.

The Men in Green encountered early trouble, losing three wickets for just one run. Kyle Jamieson caused havoc with the ball, claiming three wickets early on.

Pakistan’s batting lineup collapsed, getting dismissed for just 91 runs in 18.4 overs.

Khushdil Shah was the top scorer with 32 runs, followed by captain Agha Salman with 18 and Jahandad Khan with 17.

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Abdul Samad scored 7, Shadab Khan managed 3, while Abrar Ahmed added only 2 runs. Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Ali contributed just 1 run each. Openers Mohammad Haris and Hassan Nawaz were dismissed without scoring.

New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy led the bowling attack with 4 wickets, while Kyle Jamieson claimed 3 and Ish Sodhi grabbed 2 wickets. Zakary Foulkes dismissed one player.

Chasing 91, Tim Seifert and Finn Allen displayed exceptional batting from the start, putting on a 53-run stand inside the powerplay, showcasing their brilliance with the bat.

New Zealand chased down the target in the 11th over, giving them a 1-0 lead in the series.

The second match of the series will be played on Tuesday.

Pakistan playing XI: Salman Ali Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Abrar Ahmed

New Zealand playing XI: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Tim Robinson, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitch Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Zac Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy

READ: Pakistan captain backs Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf to shine in New Zealand T20Is

Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha has thrown his support behind senior pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, emphasizing their importance in the team’s quest for success in the five-match series against New Zealand, scheduled to commence tomorrow.

Shaheen and Haris have been under fire lately due to their below-par performances in Pakistan’s disastrous ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.

Consequently, they lost their place in the ODI squad for New Zealand, however, they were named in the T20I squad.

Salman Ali Agha, during the press conference ahead of the first T20I in Christchurch, acknowledged the recent form fluctuations of the experienced duo but remained confident in their ability to step up for Pakistan.

“Shaheen and Haris have been outstanding bowlers for Pakistan. Yes, form and performances go up and down in every cricketer’s career, but I believe both of them have a key role to play in this series,” he stated.

The 31-year-old, leading a relatively young squad, emphasized that the team is not in New Zealand just to experiment but to win.

“Fans are disappointed because we haven’t played the kind of cricket they expect from us. In fact, we haven’t even played the way we expect from ourselves. But just because we have a young side doesn’t mean it’s not a strong one. We are here to win,” Salman asserted.

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Pakistan’s squad for the series has seen some significant changes, with several senior players being rested.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who have been key to Pakistan’s T20I setup for years, are not part of the squad as the selectors aim to test new combinations. Salman admitted that their absence is notable but stressed the importance of looking forward.

“There is no doubt that Babar and Rizwan have been exceptional for Pakistan, but for this series, we are trying to build a new combination,” he added.

“Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub will also be missed—they are match-winners on their day. But, Alhamdulillah, their injury progress is positive, and hopefully, they will return for the next series.”

The Pakistan captain further explained that the team is focused on long-term goals, including the Asia Cup 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2026.

“This series, and the ones coming up, are all part of our preparation for these major tournaments. We want to form a strong squad that can compete at the highest level in the coming years,” Salman remarked.

Pakistan T20I squad for New Zealand tour

T20Is: Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Usman Khan (wk)

READ: Saud Shakeel stars as Karachi Whites start National T20 Cup campaign on winning note

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the schedule of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 trophy tour on Friday, with the coveted silverware to travel 11 cities across the country.

“The first-ever trophy tour in the history of PSL will commence today from Hyderabad and Karachi, with ‘Luminara’ scheduled to travel to 11 cities across Pakistan till 29 March,” the PCB stated in a press release.

It’s worth noting that season 10 of the PSL is scheduled to take place in four cities—Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi—from 11 April to 18 May.

In the first leg of the trophy tour, the Luminara Trophy will be displayed at various locations across Hyderabad and Karachi till 15 March.

Following Hyderabad and Karachi, the trophy will travel to Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Peshawar and Islamabad.

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The second leg of the PSL 10 trophy tour will be announced in due course.

“The PSL trophy tour is a celebration of Pakistan’s rich culture, its diverse communities and most importantly, its deep-rooted passion for cricket,” said PSL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Salman Naseer.

“The tour aims to fulfill our desire to increase the physical reach of the HBL PSL throughout Pakistan.

“In the first leg, the trophy will be displayed from the vibrant streets of Karachi to the historic locations of Lahore and will also showcase the breathtaking landscapes of Pakistan, with more historic and iconic locations to follow.

“This trophy tour is our way of giving back to the fans, who have been the heart and soul of HBL PSL over the last decade. Their unwavering support fuels the passion of our players and makes this league one of the best in the world.”

PSL 10 ‘Luminara’ Trophy tour schedule

• 14 March – Hyderabad
• 14-15 March – Karachi
• 16-17 March – Lahore
• 18 March – Multan
• 19 March – Bahawalpur
• 20 March – Faisalabad
• 22 March – Peshawar
• 23 March – Islamabad

READ: PCB announces free entry for Fans for eight National T20 Cup matches

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has taken notice of the decision to slash match fees for domestic cricketers participating in the upcoming National T20 Cup 2025.

A PCB spokesperson confirmed that Naqvi has directed officials to ensure that players’ earnings remain unaffected. He instructed the Director of Domestic Cricket, Abdullah Khurram Niazi, to take immediate action to prevent any reduction in payments.

Mohsin Naqvi has also ordered a comprehensive review of match fees for all players in the National T20 Cup, reinforcing his stance that no cuts should be made.

It’s worth noting that the National T20 Cup 2025 is set to take place from March 15 to March 27, featuring 18 teams representing 16 regions. A total of 39 matches will be played across three host cities: Faisalabad, Lahore, and Multan.

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The 18 teams are divided into four groups: Karachi Region (Blues), Lahore Region (Whites), Larkana Region, Peshawar Region, and Quetta Region, all placed in Group A.

In Group B, defending champions Karachi Region (Whites) are placed alongside Bahawalpur Region, Dera Murad Jamali Region, Islamabad Region and Lahore Region (Blues).

In Group C, Abbottabad Region, Faisalabad Region, Hyderabad Region, and Rawalpindi Region will go head-to-head, while Group D will see AJK Region, FATA Region, Multan Region, and Sialkot Region play each other.

The tournament will kick off with a double-header in Faisalabad, where Karachi Region (Whites) will take on Islamabad Region at 7 PM, followed by the second match at 11 PM.

In Lahore and Multan, the first fixture of the day is scheduled for 4:30 PM, while the second match will begin at 9 PM.

READ: Haider Ali breaks silence on his exclusion from New Zealand tour

DUBAI: Shubman Gill, the vice-captain of the Indian team, has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for February 2025 on Wednesday.

The opener pipped Australia’s stand-in skipper Steve Smith and New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips to claim the award.

The 25-year-old accumulated 406 runs at a staggering average of 101.50 in five matchesches over the course of the month.

In his five one-day internationals over the course of the month, Gill compiled 406 runs, averaging 101.50 at a strike rate of 94.19.

The right-hander carried his good form with the bat in the Champions Trophy, after demonstrating excellent performances against England in the home series.

Shubman Gill amassed 259 runs from three matches at an average of 86.33, laced with one hundred and two fifties in the multi-nation tournament.

He was also named as Player of the series in the Indian team’s landslide 3-0 victory against England.

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The opener scored two half-centuries in the series against England, along with a sublime hundred in the last match of the series—his breathtaking knock of 112 from 102 balls, featured 14 fours and three sixes.

After the series, Shubman Gill started his Champions Trophy campaign with an unbeaten 101 to steer the Indian team to a comfortable victory against Bangladesh in their tournament opener.

In the second match against arch-rivals Pakistan, Gill dismantled the Pakistani pace attack with an elegant knock of 46 laced with elegant boundaries.

The opener has now bagged three ICC Player of the Month awards. Previously, he bagged the particular award in January and September 2023.

Read: Babar Azam at risk of losing second spot in ICC ODI rankings

AUCKLAND: All-rounder Michael Bracewell has been named captain as New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced the squad for the upcoming home T20I series against Pakistan.

The New Zealand side will feature seven members from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad, including Bracewell, who was a key performer in the tournament.

It’s worth noting that this will be Bracewell’s first home series as captain, having previously led the side during the tour of Pakistan in April 2024.

“Mitch Santner’s done a great job since taking over as white-ball captain and I’ll really just be trying to build on his good work and create an enjoyable environment for the guys to perform in,” Bracewell said in an NZC statement.

“Pakistan are always a dangerous short-form side with lots of power and pace and we know they’ll be hurting after an early exit in the Champions Trophy.”

Ish Sodhi was recalled after missing the recent home series against Sri Lanka, while Ben Sears recovered from the torn hamstring, which forced him to return home on the eve of the Champions Trophy last month.

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Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke have been included for the first three games of the series only, as the selectors seek to manage the workloads of the pace bowlers returning from the Champions Trophy.

Matt Henry, who finished as the leading wicket-taker at the tournament despite missing the final through injury, has been selected for games four and five, subject to further assessment once the ODI squad arrives home on Wednesday.

The series between Pakistan and New Zealand will run from 16 March 16 to 5 April, featuring five T20Is and three ODIs. The T20I series will kick off in Christchurch on 16 March, while the second match is scheduled to be played in Dunedin on 18 March.

The third match will be played in Auckland on 21 March, while the subsequent games are scheduled in Mount Maunganui and Wellington on 23 and 26 March, respectively.

Following the T20I series, the teams will travel to Napier for the first ODI, scheduled for 29 March. The second ODI will be played on 2 April in Hamilton, while Mount Maunganui will host the final ODI on 5 April.

New Zealand squad T20Is against Pakistan

Michael Bracewell (capt), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zakary Foulkes (games 4 & 5), Mitchell Hay, Matt Henry (games 4 & 5), Kyle Jamieson (games 1, 2 & 3), Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Will O’Rourke (games 1, 2 & 3), Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi

READ: No Rohit Sharma as ICC reveals Champions Trophy 2025 Team of the Tournament

DUBAI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has clarified the absence of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials during the Champions Trophy 2025 final ceremony, which took place here on Sunday.

An ICC spokesperson explained that PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who was the official representative of the host board, had been invited to attend the ceremony but was unable to attend.

“Mr. Naqvi was unavailable and did not travel to Dubai for the final,” the spokesperson stated.

The apex cricketing body further emphasized its long-standing protocol regarding such events while responding to the criticism about the lack of Pakistani representation on stage.

The spokesperson outlined that, according to ICC procedures, only the head of the host board—whether it be the president, vice president, chairman, or CEO—is invited to be part of the awards ceremony.

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Other board officials, even if they are present at the venue, are not included in the stage proceedings.

The absence of PCB officials on stage was therefore due to the fact that the board’s designated representative did not attend, with the protocol being followed as per the ICC’s established practices.

However, sources within the PCB have revealed that the board plans to raise the matter with the ICC.

The PCB intends to formally inquire why its CEO, Sumair Ahmad Syed, who was present in Dubai as the director of the Champions Trophy 2025, was not invited to the ceremony.

“It is concerning that Pakistan was not given representation at the closing ceremony despite the presence of a key PCB official in Dubai,” a source close to the PCB said.

READ: Mohsin Naqvi hails collective efforts behind successful hosting of Champions Trophy

DUBAI: India emerged victorious against New Zealand by 4 wickets in a hard-fought battle in the final of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

The Rohit Sharma-led side chased down 252 runs on a challenging wicket with one over to spare to clinch the Champions Trophy for a record third time.

This was India’s third Champions Trophy title, previously winning in 2013 and 2002 (shared).

In pursuit of the chase, the Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill came out blazing. The duo provided the Men in Blue a solid platform with a partnership of 105 runs.

Gill (31) was dismissed, thanks to a screamer of Glenn Phillips in the 19th over. His brisk knock included one boundary.

The opener’s dismissal opened the door for New Zealand as they struck with a key wicket off Virat Kohli (1), who was trapped in front off Michael Bracewell.

Top scorer Rohit Sharma also perished after a well-made 76 off 83 deliveries, with three sixes and seven fours.

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With wickets falling in quick succession, Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel forged a vital 61 run partnership to rescue India against a formidable spin bowling attack of New Zealand.

Iyer made a 62-ball 48, while Patel scored 29 off 40 deliveries. Both batters were dismissed in a short span of time to give Black Caps a faint hope in a tense run chase.

However, Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul built a successful 38-run partnership in just six overs which put India in a strong position to clinch the multi-nation tournament for a record third time.

In the last few overs, Rahul showcased his composure and guided India to victory by scoring an unbeaten 34 runs off 33 balls.

For New Zealand, Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell each took two wickets, while Rachin Ravindra and Kyle Jamieson claimed one wicket apiece.

The Indian captain Rohit Sharma received the Player of the Match award for his outstanding batting, while New Zealand’s opener Rachin Ravindra was named Player of the Tournament for his all-round performance.

Earlier, Daryl Mitchell and Michael Bracewell scored half-centuries to help New Zealand set a 252-run target in their 50 overs.

Catch every Champions Trophy update here!

After opting to bat on a spinning track, the in-form New Zealand opening pair of Will Young and Rachin Ravindra made a strong start, accumulating 57 runs in their first seven overs.

Will Young was trapped in front of Varun Chakravarthy’s bowling on the score of 15.

After a strong foundation, New Zealand stalwart Kane Williamson arrived on the crease to steady the innings.

However, India spinner Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja struck quickly, leaving the New Zealand team in deep trouble at 108-4 in 23.2 overs.

Williamson (11), Ravindra (37), and Latham (14) all perished to the formidable spin bowling of the Indian team.

Following the wicket, Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell forged a crucial partnership of 57 runs to lift New Zealand.

Phillips departed after scoring a brisk knock of 34 off 52 in challenging conditions. Mitchell, the top scorer with 63 off 101 deliveries, remained steadfast on the other end and added another 46-run stand with Michael Bracewell before being dismissed.

New Zealand was 211-6 in 45.4 overs, but Michael Bracewell’s quick-fire half-century took his team to a strong total of 252. His unbeaten 53 off 40 deliveries featured two fours and three sixes.

For India, Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy were the pick of the bowlers who took two wickets apiece.

Read: Shubman Gill breaks silence on Rohit Sharma’s retirement speculations

DUBAI: New Zealand have won the toss and opted to bat first against India in the final of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Playing XIs

New Zealand: Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Will O’Rourke

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy

Catch every Champions Trophy update here!

The ongoing 2025 edition marked the return of the ICC Champions Trophy after an eight-year break, with the last tournament being held in 2017, where Pakistan defeated their arch-rivals India in the final.

The tournament began with the teams divided into two groups. Group A featured Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand, while Group B included Afghanistan, England, Australia, and South Africa.

Each team played three group-stage matches, and the top two from each group secured a spot in the semi-finals. From Group A, India and New Zealand advanced, while South Africa and Australia progressed from Group B.

India defeated Australia, while the Black Caps registered a victover over South Africa to qualify for the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

READ: Mohammad Haris comments on Babar-Rizwan’s omission from T20I squad

Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli is on the brink of rewriting history as he gears up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand, set to take place on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Having already notched up a century and a match-winning fifty in the tournament, Kohli is now within touching distance of multiple records.

If he scores 55 runs in the Champions Trophy 2025 final, he will surpass Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer in ODI history.

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Currently, Kohli has 14,180 runs in 301 ODIs, while Sangakkara sits at 14,234 from 404 matches.

The only player ahead of them is the great Sachin Tendulkar, who leads the charts with a staggering 18,426 runs.

All-time Leading Run-Scorers in ODI cricket

• Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 18,426 runs
• Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 14,234 runs
• Virat Kohli (India) – 14,180 runs
• Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 13,704 runs
• Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – 13,430 runs

But that’s not the only milestone in Kohli’s sights. The Indian star is also chasing Chris Gayle’s record for the most runs in Champions Trophy history.

Kohli, who currently has 746 runs in 17 matches, needs just 47 more to surpass Gayle, who leads the tally with 791 runs in 17 appearances.

READ: Former Pakistan cricketer takes a dig at Babar Azam’s father over ‘coaching’ claims