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Pakistan top-order batter Fakhar Zaman on Wednesday refuted the rumours of his retirement from international cricket.

Fakhar was ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 after sustaining an injury in the opening match of the tournament against New Zealand.

He sustained the injury in the first over of New Zealand’s innings which forced him to leave the ground for medical assessment. Though he attempted to return to the field after some time, he eventually walked off again, raising serious concerns about his fitness.

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Despite the discomfort, Fakhar still came out to bat in Pakistan’s chase of 321 runs. However, he looked far from his usual fluent self, managing a scratchy 24 before getting dismissed.

Following his injury, local media reported that Fakhar Zaman was considering retirement from international cricket.

However, Fakhar Zaman dismissed the reports, stating that he would join the team after achieving full fitness.

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“There is no truth in the retirement news,” said Fakhar. “I will be fully fit and join the team soon.”

For the unversed, Fakhar Zaman has represented Pakistan in three Tests, 86 ODIs and 92 T20Is since making his international debut in 2017.

He has so far scored 5691 runs across formats with the help of 11 centuries and 30 fifties.

READ: Champions Trophy: Rawalpindi weather update ahead of Pakistan-Bangladesh clash

DUBAI: India batting maestro Virat Kohli struck a brilliant century to help his team defeat arch-rivals Pakistan by six wickets in the fifth match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

In a high-voltage encounter, India successfully chased the 242-run target at the loss of four wickets with 45 balls to spare.

Chasing 242, India was off to a good start courtesy of the free-flowing batting of their opening batters Rohit Sharma (20) and Shubman Gill (46). However, Shaheen Shah Afridi struck in the fifth over, sending back the Indian skipper to give Pakistan an opening.

After that, Virat Kohli joined Gill and added 69 runs for the second wicket stand before the latter was dismissed by a beautiful delivery from Abrar Ahmed in the 17th over.

Shreyas Iyer then joined Virat Kohli and the duo constructed a match-winning partnership of 114 runs to edge India closer to victory.

Iyer scored 56 off 67 deliveries before falling victim to Khushdil Shah in the 39th over. The 30-old-batter’s brisk innings included five fours and one huge six.

However, Kohli dominated Pakistan again and smashed his 51st ODI century with the winning shot to steer India to a famous victory.

He top-scored with an unbeaten knock of 100 runs on 111 balls, which featured seven fours. He was adjudged the Player of the Match for his brilliant knock.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi took two wickets for 74 runs in his eight overs. Abrar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah chipped in with one wicket each.

Earlier, after winning the toss, Pakistan opted to bat. The Men in Green got off to a steady start after opting to bat first as the new opening pair of Babar Azam (23) and Imam-ul-Haq (10) stitched together a 41-run stand.

However, Babar fell prey to Hardik Pandya, while Imam was run out in the span of six balls, leaving Pakistan reeling at 47-2 in 9.2 overs.

Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel joined hands to help the team recover, knitting a 104-run partnership for the third wicket from 144 balls.

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Just when Pakistan batters looked to switch gears, India made a comeback with two quick wickets, reducing the Green Shirts to 159-4 inside 25 overs.

Rizwan was castled by Axar Patel after scoring a scratchy 46 off 77, featuring three boundaries.

Meanwhile, Saud played a gutsy 62-run knock from 76 balls with the help of five boundaries before falling to Pandya.

Ravindra Jadeja bowled Tayyab Tahir (4) before Salman Ali Agha and Khushdil Shah added valuable 35 runs for the sixth wicket.

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However, Kuldeep Yadav halted their momentum by dismissing Salman (19) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (0) on back-to-back balls to further add to Pakistan’s troubles.

Khushdil Shah then played a 38-run cameo off 39 balls, which included two sixes to take Pakistan’s total to 241. Harshit Rana ended his innings, bringing the Green Shirts’ innings to a dramatic close in the final over.

Kuldeep Yadav led India’s bowling attack with three wickets, while Hardik Pandya managed two. Harshit Rana, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja bagged one wicket each.

DUBAI: Virat Kohli’s century headlines as India thrashed Pakistan by six wickets in the fifth match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 here at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

IND 244/4

42.3 Khushdil to Kohli, FOUR runs. There is it, century no. 51! India wins..

Khushdil returns

IND 225/4 (42 Overs)

Shaheen continues

IND 225/4 (41 Overs)

Salman continues

IND 223/4 (40 Overs)

39.6: Shaheen Shah Afridi to Hardik, OUT

Hardik Pandya 8 (6b 1×4 0x6) SR: 133.33

Shaheen returns

IND 215/3 (39 Overs)

38.5: Khushdil to Shreyas Iyer, OUT. Taken at cover by flying Imam.

Shreyas Iyer Khushdil Shah 56 (67b 5×4 1×6) SR: 83.58

Khushdil returns

IND 209/2 (38 Overs)

Rauf continues

IND 203/2 (37 Overs)

Abrar to continue

IND 200/2 (36 Overs)

Haris back into the attack

IND 189/2 (35 Overs)

Abrar continues

IND 185/2 (33 Overs)

Naseem returns

IND 179/2 (32 Overs)

Abrar returns

IND 175/2 (31 Overs)

Khushdil to continue

IND 168/2 (30 Overs)

Agha Salman comes into the bowling attack

IND 160/2 (29 Overs)

Khushdil continues

IND 150/2 (28 Overs)

Shaheen comes back into the bowling attack

IND 140/2 (27 Overs)

Khushdil continues

IND 136/2 (26 Overs)

26.1: Naseem to Kohli. He smashes it over deep cover. Yet another half-century for Virat Kohli against Pakistan.

Virat Kohli 51 (62b 3×4)

Naseem continues

IND 128/2 (26 Overs)

Khushdil returns

IND 126/2 (25 Overs)

Naseem Shah returns

IND 124/2 (24 Overs)

Abrar continues

IND 123/2 (23 Overs)

Haris continues

IND 118/2 (22 Overs)

Abrar to continue

IND 115/2 (21 Overs)

Haris continues

IND 109/2 (20 Overs)

Abrar continues

IND 107/2 (19 Overs)

Haris continues

IND 102/2 (18 Overs)

17.3: Abrar gets well-set Gill with an absolute beauty.

Shubman Gill 46 (52b 7×4 0x6) SR: 88.46

IND 99/1 (17 Overs)

Khushdil continues

IND 93/1 (16 Overs)

Abrar continues

IND 89/1 (15 Overs)

Khushdil comes to bowl

IND 87/1 (14 Overs)

Abrar continues

IND 84/1 (13 Overs)

12.2: Haris Rauf to Kohli, FOUR runs. Here is the milestone for Kohli. 14000 runs in ODIs, and it comes with the signature punch through cover.

Haris Rauf continues

IND 70/1 (12 Overs)

It’s time for some spin. Abrar Ahmed comes to bowl

IND 67/1 (11 Overs)

Haris Rauf into the attack

IND 64/1 (10 Overs)

Naseem to continue

IND 63/1 (9 Overs)

Shaheen continues

IND 49/1 (8 Overs)

Naseem to continue

IND 46/1 (7 Overs)

Shaheen continues

IND 31/1 (6 Overs)

Naseem continues

IND 31/1 (5 Overs)

4.6: Shaheen gets Rohit Sharma with an absolute in dipping yorker.

Rohit Sharma 20 (15b 3×4 1×6) SR: 133.33

Shaheen continues

IND 26/0 (4 Overs)

Naseem continues

IND 20/0 (3 Overs)

Shaheen continues

IND 12/0 (2 Overs)

Naseem Shah will bowl from the other end.

IND 2/0 (1 Over)

Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma to open the innings for India. Shaheen Afridi will take the new ball for Pakistan.

PAKISTAN vs INDIA (2nd INNINGS)

A combined bowling effort by Team India bundled Pakistan for 241 in 49.4 overs in the second match of the multi-nation tournament.

PAK 241 (49.4 Overs)

49.4: Harshit to Khushdil. He skies the ball in the air, and it’s caught. End of the innings for Khushdil and Pakistan.
Khushdil Shah 38 (39b 0x4 2×6) SR: 97.43

Harshit to bowl the last over of the innings.

PAK 241/9 (49 Overs)

48.6: Going for the double run but an accurate through ends Rauf’s innings.

Haris Rauf  8 (7b 0x4 1×6) SR: 114.28

Shami returns

PAK 227/8 (48 Overs)

Harshit returns

PAK 222/8 (47 Overs)

46.4: Naseem tries to push the ball, but it’s in the air and straight to long on. Virat Kohli takes a brilliant catch.

Naseem Shah 14 (16b 1×4 0x6) SR: 87.5

Kuldeep continues

PAK 219/7 (46 Overs)

Shami returns

PAK 212/7 (45 Overs)

Kuldeep to continue

PAK 200/7 (44 Overs)

Harshit Rana back into the attack

PAK 200/7 (43 Overs)

42.5: Another wicket for India as Shaheen goes on zero.

Shaheen Shah Afridi 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0

42.4: Salman gives it a big heave, but it’s a top edge and taken by Jadeja.

Salman Agha 19 (24b 0x4 0x6) SR: 79.16

Kuldeep continues

PAK 197/5 (42 Overs)

Axar to continue

PAK 188/5 (41 Overs)

Kuldeep returns

PAK 183/5 (40 Overs)

Axar continues

PAK 177/5 (39 Overs)

Jadeja continues

PAK 170/5 (38 Overs)

Axar continues

PAK 167/5 (37 Overs)

36.1: The ball landed on a length in front of the middle and turned away a touch, Tahir tried to run it towards third. Tentative poke, got the wrist down but played the wrong line. The ball hit the middle and off in the end.

Tayyab Tahir 4 (6b 0x4 0x6) SR: 66.66

Jadeja returns

PAK 165/4 (36 Overs)

Axar continues

PAK 160/4 (35 Overs)

34.5: Saud Shakeel tries to force a pull over Axar Patel but ends up holing out to deep midwicket.

Saud Shakeel 62 (76b 5×4 0x6) SR: 81.57

Hardik continues

PAK 154/3 (34 Overs)

33.2: Rizwan steps out and aims to heave it over mid-on who is inside the circle. But does not connect as Axar hits the stumps.

Mohammad Rizwan 46 (77b 3×4 0x6) SR: 59.74

Axar Patel continues

PAK 150/2 (33 Overs)

Hardik is back in the attack

PAK 142/2 (32 Overs)

Axar Patel returns

PAK 137/2 (31 Overs)

Ravindra Jadeja continues

PAK 129/2 (30 Overs)

Axar Patel returns

PAK 126/2 (29 Overs)

Ravindra Jadeja continues

PAK 121/2 (28 Overs)

Shami returns to the attack

PAK 116/2 (27 Overs)

Ravindra Jadeja continues

PAK 107/2 (26 Overs)

Kuldeep Yadav continues

PAK 99/2 (25 Overs)

Ravindra Jadeja continues

PAK 94/2 (24 Overs)

Kuldeep Yadav continues

PAK 90/2 (23 Overs)

Ravindra Jadeja to bowl his first over

PAK 86/2 (22 Overs)

Kuldeep Yadav continues

PAK 82/2 (21 Overs)

Harshit Rana continues

PAK 79/2 (20 Overs)

Kuldeep Yadav replaces Axar Patel

PAK 77/2 (19 Overs)

Harshit Rana returns

PAK 74/2 (18 Overs)

Axar Patel continues

PAK 72/2 (17 Overs)

Hardik Pandya continues

PAK 70/2 (16 Overs)

Axar Patel returns

PAK 63/2 (15 Overs)

Hardik Pandya continues

PAK 61/2 (14 Overs)

Shami continues

PAK 59/2 (13 Overs)

Hardik Pandya continues

PAK 58/2 (12 Overs)

Mohammed Shami returns to bowl

PAK 55/2 (11 Overs)

Hardik Pandya continues

PAK 52/2 (10 Overs)

9.2: Imam jumps out of his crease once again and pushes it straight to Axar at mid-on. Axar gathers the ball quickly and throws down the stumps at the bowler’s end to catch Imam well short.

Imam-ul-Haq 10 (26b 0x4 0x6) SR: 38.46

Kuldeep Yadav to bowl the final over of the first powerplay

PAK 47/1 (9 Overs)

8.2: Hardik drags his length back outside off, it veers away against the inward angle. He finds the away movement he was looking for off the pitch. It messes with Babar’s drive. He can only snick it behind to the keeper.

Babar Azam 23 (26b 5×4 0x6) SR: 88.46

Hardik Pandya continues

PAK 37/0 (8 Overs)

Axar Patel to bowl the eighth over

PAK 31/0 (7 Overs)

Hardik Pandya replaces Mohammad Shami

PAK 26/0 (6 Overs)

Harshit Rana continues

PAK 25/0 (5 Overs)

Shami continues

PAK 22/0 (4 Overs)

Harshit Rana continues

PAK 14/0 (3 Overs)

Shami continues

PAK 10/0 (2 Overs)

Harshit Rana to bowl from the other end

PAK 6/0 (1 Over)

Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq to open the innings for Pakistan. Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami will take the new ball for India.

PAKISTAN vs INDIA (1st INNINGS)

Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bat first against India in the fifth match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.

READ: PCB seeks ICC’s clarification after Indian anthem played at Gaddafi Stadium

Cricket’s greatest rivalry is all set to reignite the excitement of fans as fierce rivals Pakistan and India are set to face off in a high-octane ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash tomorrow, February 23, at Dubai Cricket Stadium.

Although the UAE is still transitioning away from winter, with cloudy conditions and occasional showers in some areas, Dubai will be burning on Sunday—not from the weather, but from the sheer heat of this fierce rivalry.

This contest has produced legendary moments over the decades, etching the names of many stars into the history books. The Champions Trophy, in particular, holds a special place in this rivalry.

The image of the Pakistan cricket team lifting the trophy in 2017 after defeating India is still pierced in the hearts of Indian fans, a painful reminder every time that match is discussed.

While India have won every ODI against Pakistan since then, they will still be seeking revenge for that Champions Trophy defeat.

For Pakistan, the stakes couldn’t be higher. As the official hosts of the Champions Trophy 2025, this marks their first ICC event on home soil since the 1996 World Cup.

However, due to the Indian government’s refusal to send their team to Pakistan, the tournament is being held under a hybrid model, with India’s matches taking place in Dubai.

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As always, Pakistan are going into the match as underdogs. Their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign started on a disastrous note with a crushing defeat to New Zealand, leaving them staring at an early exit from a tournament they waited nearly three decades to host.

To stay alive, Pakistan must defeat their arch-rivals on a slow, tired pitch in Dubai—where India have already played and won, kicking off their campaign with a convincing victory over Bangladesh.

Although momentum is on India’s side, history tells a different story. In 135 ODI encounters between the two sides, Pakistan have the edge with 73 victories compared to India’s 57.

However, Pakistan have struggled in recent years, winning only two of their last nine ODIs against India, with one game washed out.

Interestingly, Pakistan boast a better record in the Champions Trophy. The two teams have clashed five times in the tournament’s history, with Pakistan emerging victorious on three occasions.

Due to political tensions, Pakistan and India only meet in multi-nation tournaments. Their last ODI encounter was in the 2023 ICC World Cup, where Indian captain Rohit Sharma’s blistering 86 off 63 deliveries powered India to a dominant victory while chasing Pakistan’s meagre 192-run target.

Notably, India’s playing XI from that World Cup clash and their recent Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh featured nine of the same players.

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Additionally, India have five spinners to choose from—an advantage on Dubai’s sluggish pitches. In contrast, Pakistan have only one specialist spinner, Abrar Ahmed, with Salman Ali Agha and Khushdil Shah as part-time options.

Adding to Pakistan’s woes, they suffered a major blow in their opening game against New Zealand when explosive opener Fakhar Zaman was ruled out of the tournament due to a side strain. Imam-ul-Haq has replaced him in the squad, but Pakistan will surely miss Fakhar’s ability to provide aggressive starts.

Given India’s dominant performance in their last match and Pakistan’s struggles, the momentum clearly favors India.

An unsettled team combination, a demoralizing loss to New Zealand, and Fakhar’s injury have put Pakistan’s backs against the wall. However, history has shown that Pakistan thrive in adversity, reminiscent of Imran Khan’s legendary “cornered tigers” speech from their triumphant 1992 World Cup campaign.

The odds may favor India, but Pakistan can never be written off—especially in a high-stakes clash like this.

With survival on the line, Pakistan must summon every ounce of resilience, while India will look to assert their dominance once again. One thing is certain—when these two rivals collide, cricket fans around the world are in for a spectacle.

Squads:

Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Saud Shakeel, Naseem Shah, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Hasnain, Usman Khan, Haris Rauf.

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.

READ: Champions Trophy: Aqib Javed opens up on Pakistan’s likely playing XI for India clash

READ: Here’s when Imam-ul-Haq will join Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad

Pakistan explosive opener Fakhar Zaman endured a heart-breaking moment as he walked off in tears after his dismissal against New Zealand in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy at National Bank Stadium Karachi on Wednesday.

Fakhar sustained an injury in the first over of New Zealand’s innings in Karachi yesterday when he fell awkwardly while fielding, forcing him to leave the ground for medical assessment.

Though he attempted to return to the field after some time, he eventually walked off again, raising serious concerns about his fitness.

Despite the discomfort, Fakhar still came out to bat in Pakistan’s chase of 321 runs. However, he looked far from his usual fluent self, managing a scratchy 24 before getting dismissed.

Following the announcement, Fakhar took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account, confirming his ouster from the tournament while extending his support to his teammates.

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released a video of Fakhar Zaman on social media in which the left-hander could be seen limping to the dressing room, where he burst into tears.

His teammate Shaheen Shah Afridi could also seen in the video, trying to comfort the tearful batter.

Catch every Champions Trophy update here!

For the unversed, Pakistan began their eight-team tournament 2025 campaign with a 60-run loss against New Zealand yesterday.

Green Shirts were bowled out on 260 in 47.2 overs after New Zealand’s clinical bowling performance. Khushdil Shah scored the most with his 69 off 49 balls.

Mitchell Santner and O’Rourke picked up three wickets for New Zealand, while Matt Henry grabbed two.

Tom Latham was adjudged player of the match for his match-winning unbeaten century.

Pakistan will now face arch-rivals India in the much-anticipated 2025 clash, scheduled to be played on Sunday.

READ: Champions Trophy: Temba Bavuma issues bold statement ahead of Afghanistan clash

Left-handed opening batter Imam-ul-Haq has replaced injured opener Fakhar Zaman in the Pakistan squad ahead of the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash against arch-rivals India.

Fakhar was ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025 after he sustained an injury during Pakistan’s group-stage clash against New Zealand in Karachi yesterday.

The injury occurred in the very first over of New Zealand’s innings when Fakhar fell awkwardly while fielding, forcing him to leave the ground for medical assessment.

Though he attempted to return to the field after some time, he eventually walked off again, raising serious concerns about his fitness.

Imam-ul-Haq, who recently represented Pakistan Shaheens in the Champions Trophy warm-up match against South Africa, was later confirmed to replace Fakhar in the squad.

“The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 has approved Imam-ul-Haq as a replacement for Fakhar Zaman in the Pakistan squad” the PCB stated in a media release.

“Twenty-nine-year-old Imam, who has played 72 ODIs, was named as a replacement after Fakhar was ruled out due to an oblique injury.

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“The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the player can be officially added to the squad.”

Imam played his last of 72 ODIs against South Africa during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. He has scored 3,138 runs at an impressive average of 48.27, featuring nine centuries and 20 half-centuries.

Meanwhile, his last international match was the Boxing Day Test against Australia in December 2023 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

The defending champions and hosts Pakistan began their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a 60-run loss against New Zealand yesterday.

They will now travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the much-awaited clash against arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23. Pakistan will then return home to face Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.

Pakistan squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

READ: Virat Kohli set to break another Sachin Tendulkar record

KARACHI: Will Young and Tom Latham’s centuries and clinical bowling performance propelled New Zealand to a comprehensive victory against Pakistan by 60 runs in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener at National Bank Stadium in Karachi.

PAK 260 (46 Overs)

47.2: Henry to Naseem Shah, OUT! New Zealand win by 60 runs. Agony for the hosts as they lose their first match

Naseem Shah 13 (15b 0x4 1×6 27m) SR: 86.66

PAK 260/9 (45 Overs)

46.6: Santner to Haris Rauf, OUT

Haris Rauf 19 (10b 0x4 3×6 11m) SR: 190

Santner continues

PAK 245/8 (44 Overs)

O’Rourke to continue

PAK 236/8 (43 Overs)

Santner returns

PAK 229/8 (42 Overs)

43.4: O’Rourke to Khushdil, OUT

Khushdil Shah 69 (49b 10×4 1×6) SR: 140.81

O’Rourke continues

PAK 225/7 (41 Overs)

Henry continues

PAK 213/7 (40 Overs)

O’Rourke back for bowling

PAK 200/7 (39 Overs)

Matt Henry into the attack

PAK 196/6 (38 Overs)

Phillips continues

PAK 187/6 (37 Overs)

Bracewell continues

PAK 183/6 (36 Overs)

Phillips returns

PAK 175/6 (35 Overs)

Bracewell continues

PAK 166/6 (34 Overs)

Santner to continue

PAK 156/6 (33 Overs)

Bracewell returns

PAK 153/6 (32 Overs)

33.6: Santner to Babar Azam, OUT, big wicket

Babar Azam 64 (90b 6×4 1×6) SR: 71.11

Santner continues

PAK 146/5 (31 Overs)

Smith continues

PAK 130/5 (30 Overs)

Santner continues

PAK 128/4 (29 Overs)

30.4: Smith to Salman, OUT. Salman goes!

Salman Agha 42 (28b 6×4 1×6) SR: 150

Nathan Smith into the attack

PAK 124/3 (28 Overs)

Santner continues

PAK 119/3 (27 Overs)

Phillips continues

PAK 104/3 (26 Overs)

Santner continues

PAK 94/3 (25 Overs)

Phillips continues

PAK 84/3 (24 Overs)

Santner continues

PAK 83/3 (23 Overs)

Phillips from the other end

PAK 80/3 (22 Overs)

Santner continues

PAK 72/3 (21 Overs)

Bracewell continues

PAK 70/3 (20 Overs)

Santner comes into bowl

PAK 69/3 (19 Overs)

20.5: Michael Bracewell to Zaman, OUT. Silence in the stands as Fakhar is bowled!

Fakhar Zaman  24 (41b 4×4 0x6) SR: 58.53

Bracewell continues

PAK 66/2 (18 Overs)

Phillips continues

PAK 65/2 (17 Overs)

Bracewell continues

PAK 60/2 (16 Overs)

Phillips continues

PAK 55/2 (15 Overs)

Bracewell to continue

PAK 55/2 (14 Overs)

Phillips continues

PAK 49/2 (13 Overs)

Bracewell continues

PAK 41/2 (12 Overs)

Glenn Phillips comes to bowl.

PAK 24/2 (11 Overs)

Michael Bracewell into the attack

PAK 22/2 (10 Overs)

9.6: O’Rourke to Rizwan, OUT. Flying Glenn Phillips takes screamer.

O’Rourke continues

PAK 21/1 (9 Overs)

Henry to continue

PAK 19/1 (8 Overs)

O’Rourke continues

PAK 14/1 (7 Overs)

Henry continues. A maiden over…

PAK 14/1 (6 Overs)

O’Rourke to continue

PAK 12/1 (5 Overs)

Henry continues

PAK 8/1 (4 Overs)

3.4: O’Rourke to Saud Shakeel, OUT.. gone! New Zealand with an early breakthrough. He is caught on the third man.

Saud Shakeel 6 (19b 0x4 0x6) SR: 31.57

O’Rourke continues

PAK 5/0 (3 Overs)

Henry to continue from the other end

PAK 3/0 (2 Overs)

Will O’Rourke will take the new ball from the other end.

PAK 1/0 (1 Over)

Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel to open for Pakistan. Matt Henry will bowl the first over for New Zealand.

PAKISTAN vs NEW ZEALAND (2nd INNINGS)

Will Young and Tom Latham struck centuries to power New Zealand to 320-5 in the their 50 overs.

NZ 320/5 (50 Overs)

49.4: Haris Rauf to Phillips, OUT!!

Glenn Phillips 61 (39b 3×4 4×6 62m) SR: 156.41

Haris Rauf to bowl the last over.

NZ 306/4 (49 Overs)

48.1: Fifty for Phillips. His quick-fire fifty includes four sixes and one four.

Shaheen Afridi continues

NZ 294/4 (48 Overs)

Haris Rauf returns

NZ 283/4 (47 Overs)

46.2: Shaheen Afridi to Latham, pushes on to the on side for a run, and here it is his eighth ODI hundred.

Shaheen Afridi is back in the attack

NZ 265/4 (46 Overs)

Naseem Shah into his final over

NZ 256/4 (45 Overs)

Haris Rauf returns

NZ 240/4 (44 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 224/4 (43 Overs)

Khushdil continues

NZ 215/4 (42 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed comes into the bowl

NZ 212/4 (41 Overs)

Khushdil comes back into the attack

NZ 207/4 (40 Overs)

Naseem continues

NZ 198/4 (39 Overs)

Shaheen Afridi continues

NZ 193/4 (38 Overs)

37.2: Length ball, Young heaves to the leg side… and it’s brilliantly taken by sub fielder Faheem Ashraf.

Will Young 107 (113b 12×4 1×6) SR: 94.69

Naseem Shah returns to the attack

NZ 187/3 (37 Overs)

Shaheen Afridi returns

NZ 183/3 (36 Overs)

Haris Rauf continues

NZ 175/3 (35 Overs)

34.2: Will Young sweeps to his century! A measured innings, that did not start smoothly, particularly with wickets at the other end, but a tidy ODI hundred, his first of four overseas.

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 171/3 (34 Overs)

Haris Rauf continues

NZ 164/3 (33 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 159/3 (32 Overs)

Haris Rauf returns

NZ 151/3 (31 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed returns

NZ 148/3 (30 Overs)

Khushdil Shah continues

NZ 139/3 (29 Overs)

Naseem Shah continues

NZ 129/3 (28 Overs)

Khushdil Shah returns

NZ 124/3 (27 Overs)

Naseem Shah to bowl

NZ 119/3 (26 Overs)

Salman Ali Agha continues

NZ 113/3 (25 Overs)

Shaheen continues

NZ 110/3 (24 Overs)

Salman Ali Agha continues

NZ 105/3 (23 Overs)

Shaheen continues

NZ 98/3 (22 Overs)

Salman Ali Agha replaces Khushdil

NZ 94/3 (21 Overs)

Shaheen returns

NZ 93/3 (20 Overs)

Khushdil Shah continues

NZ 86/3 (19 Overs)

Haris Rauf continues

NZ 80/3 (18 Overs)

Khushdil Shah continues

NZ 77/3 (17 Overs)

16.2: Haris Rauf angles the ball in towards the batter, and Mitchell’s attempt to move leg side to create room for the pull doesn’t work and hits high up on the bat and pops apologetically towards mid-on.

Daryl Mitchell 10 (24b 0x4 0x6) SR: 41.66

Haris Rauf continues

NZ 73/2 (16 Overs)

Khushdil Shah comes on to bowl his left-arm spin

NZ 71/2 (15 Overs)

Haris Rauf continues

NZ 68/2 (14 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 64/2 (13 Overs)

Haris Rauf to bowl his first over

NZ 55/2 (12 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 50/2 (11 Overs)

Naseem continues

NZ 48/2 (10 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 45/2 (9 Overs)

8.1: Back of a length, hitting the surface hard enough to find some precious movement away from the batter, who is defending with a full face. The bowl finds a edge and Rizwan takes a low catch.

Kane Williamson 1 (2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50

Naseem continues

NZ 40/1 (8 Overs)

7.3: Perfect length, pushing Conway back, and then enough grip off the surface to move from leg stump to knock back off!

Devon Conway 10 (17b 2×4 0x6) SR: 58.82

Abrar Ahmed continues

NZ 39/0 (7 Overs)

Naseem returns from the other end

NZ 33/0 (6 Overs)

Abrar Ahmed introduced into the attack

NZ 30/0 (5 Overs)

Shaheen continues

NZ 24/0 (4 Overs)

Naseem to continue

NZ 3/0 (3 Overs)

Shaheen continues

NZ 3/0 (2 Overs)

Naseem Shah to bowl from the other end

NZ 3/0 (1 Over)

Devon Conway and Will Young to open the innings for New Zealand. Shaheen Afridi will take the new ball for Pakistan.

PAKISTAN vs NEW ZEALAND (1st INNINGS)

Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bowl first against New Zealand in the opening match of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 here at National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Tayyab Tahir, Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, Will O’Rourke

This tournament marks 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 eight-team tournament will feature 15 matches over 19 days, taking place in Pakistan and Dubai.

The teams are divided into two groups for the initial stage. Each team will play three group-stage matches, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.

Group A consists of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand, while Group B includes Afghanistan, England, Australia, and South Africa.

READ: Shubman Gill once again dethrones Babar Azam as No.1 ODI batter

Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan has revealed the batting position of the star batter Babar Azam ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to commence tomorrow.

Babar, who has been Pakistan’s mainstay at the number three position, was promoted to open the innings with Fakhar Zaman in the recently concluded tri-nation ODI series.

However, his performance in this new role has been disappointing, as he returned with scores of 10, 23, and 29, sparking discussions about the decision to move him to the opening spot.

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While speaking at the pre-tournament press conference, Mohammad Rizwan confirmed that Babar Azam would continue in his new role as an opener.

“It’s not that we don’t have options; we do have. But if you look at the conditions, Babar is the right man to open,” said Rizwan.

“We are not sure about reports of Babar not opening the batting. We want genuine openers, but given the current needs of the team, we thought that Babar should open as he is a technically strong batter. He is our opener,” he said.

He further shed light on the ace pacer Haris Rauf’s availability for the opening match of the Champions Trophy against New Zealand.

“Haris Rauf bowled 80% yesterday, and now he is bowling in full rhythm. He is fit and available for the team,” Rizwan stated.

For the unversed, the defending champions and hosts Pakistan will begin their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a game against New Zealand on February 19.

They will then travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the much-awaited clash against arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23. Pakistan will then return home to face Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.

Pakistan squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

READ: Champions Trophy: Mohammad Rizwan provides update on Haris Rauf’s availability