Pakistan vs New Zealand Archives

Mohammad Yousuf appointed as Pakistan’s batting coach ahead of New Zealand tour

LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf was appointed as the batting coach of the national men’s team on Tuesday ahead of the upcoming tour of New Zealand.

The series between Pakistan and New Zealand will run from 16 March 16 to 5 April, featuring five T20Is and three ODIs.

Yousuf has replaced Shahid Aslam as the batting coach, while Aqib Javed will continue as interim head coach for the New Zealand tour.

It’s worth noting that Aqib’s original term was until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but he has been asked to extend his tenure while the search for a permanent head coach begins.

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The T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand 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.

Pakistan squads for New Zealand tour

ODIs: Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr., Mohammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir.

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)

Player Support Personnel: Naveed Akram Cheema (team manager), Aqib Javed (interim head coach), Azhar Mahmood (assistant coach), Mohammad Yousuf (batting coach), Mohammad Masroor (fielding coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Drikus Saiman (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Butt (analyst), Irtiza Komail (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media and digital manager) and Sergio Basil Mullins (masseur).

READ: New T20I captain named as Pakistan announce white-ball squads for New Zealand tour

New T20I captain named as Pakistan announce white-ball squads for New Zealand tour

LAHORE: Salman Ali Agha has been named the T20I captain as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced two separate white-ball squads for the upcoming tour of New Zealand on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, returning all-rounder Shadab Khan will serve as vice-captain for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand from 16-26 March.

“The decision to appoint Salman and Shadab as T20I captain and vice-captain, respectively, has been made with an eye on two major upcoming tournaments – the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 (September 2025) and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (February/March 2026),” the PCB stated in a press release.

“As part of preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan is set to play a minimum of five T20Is in the ACC Asia Cup 2025 and three T20Is each against West Indies (away, July), Afghanistan (home, August), Ireland (home, September), South Africa (home, September/October), Sri Lanka (home, November) and Australia (home, January 2026).”

Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan will continue as ODI captain, with Salman serving as his deputy for the three 50-over matches scheduled at the backend of the tour from 29 March to 5 April.

In the T20I squad, there are three uncapped players – Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Ali – while Akif Javed and Mohammad Ali are the two players who have yet to debut in ODIs.

The four players have been rewarded for their impressive performances in the Champions One-Day and T20 Cups.

In the Champions T20 Cup, Abdul Samad scored 115 runs at a strike-rate of 166.67 after aggregating 145 runs at a strike-rate of 122.88 in the Champions One-Day Cup.

Likewise, Hasan Nawaz had a staller Champions T20 Cup, finishing as the second leading run-getter with 312 runs at a strike-rate of 142.47.

Mohammad Ali, with 22 wickets, was the leading wicket-taker in the Champions T20 Cup, while he took three wickets in the Champions One-Day Cup.

Akif Javed has been selected in the ODI side after his seven wickets in five Champions One-Day Cup matches, while he took 15 wickets in the Champions T20 Cup.

Openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were not considered for either format on medical advice.

Fakhar suffered a left lower intercostal muscle sprain during Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand, while Saim is recovering from a right ankle fracture sustained on the first day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa in January.

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.

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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.

Pakistan squads for New Zealand tour

READ: PCB announces free Iftar for fans at Champions Trophy semi-final in Lahore

Shadab Khan named Pakistan’s T20I vice captain – but is he the right candidate?

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has been named vice-captain for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.

This would mark his return to the national side after being dropped following Pakistan’s disastrous ICC T20 World Cup 2024 campaign.

However, his appointment raises a crucial question: Has Shadab Khan done enough to warrant a return to the team, that too as a vice-captain?

If he was truly the best candidate, why was he sidelined for the Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa tours? A closer look at his performances over the last two years paints a concerning picture.

Shadab’s T20I Numbers Tell a Different Story

Shadab Khan has been a mainstay of Pakistan’s white-balls teams since his debut in 2017, however, his T20I performances over the last two years paint a concerning picture of his form.

As a batter, his numbers have been far from convincing. In 2023, he managed 93 runs in eight matches at an average of 18.60 with a strike rate of 113.41.

However, things worsened in 2024, where he featured in 12 matches and managed just 110 runs at a poor average of 13.75, despite an improved strike rate of 150.68.

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His bowling stats are even more alarming. In 2023, he took six wickets in eight matches at an average of 32.66 and an economy of 7.53.

However, his form completely dipped in 2024, where he played 12 matches and picked up just three wickets, averaging a staggering 73.66 with an economy of 9.60.

With both bat and ball, Shadab Khan has struggled to make an impact for Pakistan. His inconsistency ultimately led to his exclusion from the national side after the T20 World Cup.

Domestic Form: Not a Strong Case for a Comeback

If an out-of-form player is making a return, it is usually based on strong domestic performances. But has Shadab Khan done enough at the domestic level to justify his recall?

In the Champions T20 Cup, he played six matches and managed just 24 runs at an average of 6, with a strike rate of 70.58—numbers that hardly make a case for selection as a specialist batter.

As for his primary skill—leg-spin—he barely bowled in the tournament. Some reports suggest he was carrying an injury, which explains his limited bowling. However, if he wasn’t fit to bowl, did he at least prove his worth as a batter? Clearly not.

Well, there is no denying Shadab’s talent. At his best, he is a genuine all-rounder who can deliver four quality overs, pick up crucial wickets, contribute with the bat, and field exceptionally well.

But talent alone isn’t enough after eight years of international cricket. At this stage, selection should be based on form, not reputation.

READ: PCB announces free Iftar for fans at Champions Trophy semi-final in Lahore

Champions Trophy: Young, Latham hit tons as New Zealand defeat Pakistan

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.

Chasing 321, Pakistan lost wickets regularly, courtesy of the Black Cap’s good bowling performance.

Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel opened the innings for Pakistan after their regular opener, Fakhar Zaman, was forced to sit out for at least 25 minutes due to leaving the field during Pakistan’s bowling.

Saud Shakeel (6) perished cheaply in a daunting chase earlier, leaving Pakistan 8-1 in the fourth over. He was caught by Matt Henry at third man off Will O’Rourke.

The skipper Muhammad Rizwan (3) also returned to the pavilion inside the first powerplay without scoring big, being caught by a screamer from Glenn Phillips off Will O’Rourke.

After the first 10 overs, Pakistan languished and could only score 22-2, their lowest total in home ODI powerplay history.

Fakhar Zaman, who was forced to bat at No. 04, joined Babar Azam in the middle, and the duo knitted a 47-run partnership but took 65 deliveries to do so, soaring the asking rate.

Pakistan was reeling 69-3 in the 21st over when Fakhar Zaman (24) departed.

Salman Ali Agha joined Babar Azam and played a blistering knock of 42 at a strike rate of 150. Agha Salman provided some hope to Pakistani fans, smashing six fours and a six before being dismissed by Nathan Smith, leaving the host 127-4 in the 31st over.

Tayyab Tahir also failed to impress, returning to the pavilion after scoring just a single. In the meantime, Babar Azam completed his fifty and eventually scored 90-ball 64 before being caught with 153 on the scoreboard.

But Khushdil Shah gave the hosts a faint hope in their chase with his blistering knock of 69 from 49 balls, which included one six and ten fours.

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He formed well-stiched partnerships with the tailenders, including Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. Khushdil added 47 and 29 runs for the eighth and ninth wicket with Shaheen Afridi and Naseem, respectively.

He departed in the 44th over courtesy of Will O’Rourke’s good bowling.

Pakistan’s last pair, Haris Rauf and Naseem put on a valiant partnership of 31 runs off 21 balls, but it was not enough as the Kiwis secured a comfortable victory in the end.

For New Zealand, Mitchell Santner and O’Rourke were stand-out bowlers who picked up three wickets each, while Matt Henry was equally good with his two wickets.

Tom Latham was awarded the Player of the Match for his outstanding century in the opening match of the Champions Trophy 2025.

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

Mohammad Rizwan invited New Zealand to bat first, and his bowlers proved the decision right by inflicting early damage.

Abrar Ahmed castled Devon Conway (10), while star batter Kane Williamson (1) fell prey to Naseem Shah, leaving the Black Caps struggling at 40-2.

Will Young and Daryl Mitchell (10) stitched a 33-run stand for the third wicket to stabilize the innings before Haris Rauf struck.

Following Mitchell’s wicket, Young forged a partnership of 118 runs with Tom Latham to take the team’s total to 191 inside 38 overs.

Young completed his century during the partnership. However, he fell prey to Naseem soon afterward. He departed after scoring 107 runs from 113 balls with the help of 13 boundaries, including one six.

Glenn Phillips joined Latham, and together, they wreaked havoc, smashing 125 runs from 74 balls in the fifth wicket partnership.

Phillips struck 61 runs off 39 balls with four sixes and three boundaries before he fell to Haris Rauf in the final over.

Meanwhile, Latham remained unbeaten on 118 runs from 104 balls to take his team’s total to 320-5 in their allocated 50 overs. His innings featured ten boundaries and three sixes.

Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf took two wickets for Pakistan, while Abrar Ahmed bagged one.

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

HEAD TO HEAD

Pakistan and New Zealand have competed in a total of 118 ODI matches. Pakistan leads the head-to-head record with 61 victories, while New Zealand has won 53 matches. Additionally, three matches have ended without a result, and one match ended in a tie.

However, New Zealand have the edge in the Champions Trophy as they boast an undefeated record against the Green Shirts.

Overall ODIs: Matches 118, Pakistan 61, New Zealand 53, NR 3, Tie 1

Champions Trophy: Matches 3, Pakistan 0, New Zealand 3

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

New Zealand outplay Pakistan by 60 runs in Champions Trophy opener

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.

Mohammad Rizwan 3 (14b 0x4 0x6) SR: 21.42

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

HEAD TO HEAD

However, New Zealand have the edge in the Champions Trophy as they boast an undefeated record against the Green Shirts.

Overall ODIs: Matches 118, Pakistan 61, New Zealand 53, NR 3, Tie 1

Champions Trophy: Matches 3, Pakistan 0, New Zealand 3

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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

Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan win toss, bowl first against New Zealand

KARACHI: 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

HEAD TO HEAD

However, New Zealand have the edge in the Champions Trophy as they boast an undefeated record against the Green Shirts.

Overall ODIs: Matches 118, Pakistan 61, New Zealand 53, NR 3, Tie 1

Champions Trophy: Matches 3, Pakistan 0, New Zealand 3

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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: ‘Our belief is same’ Babar Azam issues bold statement ahead of Champions Trophy

‘Mind-boggling decision,’ Pakistan cricketer questions Faheem’s selection over Hasnain

Pakistan top-order batter Ahmed Shehzad has questioned the decision to play all-rounder Faheem Ashraf instead of fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain in the tri-nation ODI series final against New Zealand.

The Kiwi side outclassed Pakistan in the tri-nation series final as they chased the 243-run target at the loss of five wickets with 28 balls to spare at the newly renovated National Bank Stadium in Karachi on Friday.

After the loss, Ahmed Shehzad took to his official YouTube channel and criticised Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan’s decision to bat first.

“Pakistan’s bubble has burst ahead of the Champions Trophy,” said Shehzad.

“It was a mind-boggling decision [to bat first] because we had seen in the previous match that the pitch becomes better for batting at night.

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“The ball doesn’t grip the surface for spinners. Still, the Pakistan team decided to bat first. Brainless decision—no clue.”

The 33-year-old also slammed the team selection, criticising the ‘safe’ approach to strengthen batting at the expense of a specialist pacer.

“Pakistan captain wants to play safe with batting—whether it’s being a spinner short in the Champions Trophy squad or, in this match,” he stated.

“Playing [bowling all-rounder] Faheem Ashraf to strengthen the batting lineup at the expense of [fast bowler] Mohammad Hasnain, yet still using Ashraf for just two overs.

“In a final, you are making childish decisions… making so many mistakes in matches. You get a chance to win only when the opposition performs below par or doesn’t have their main players available.”

READ: Former cricketer urges Babar Azam to return at No. 3 in Champions Trophy

Clinical New Zealand seal tri-nation series final in dominant fashion

KARACHI: New Zealand outclassed Pakistan in the tri-nation series final by five wickets, chasing down the meager total in a commanding display with 28 balls to spare here at National Bank Stadium on Friday.

The visiting team batters Devon Conway and Tom Latham led the charge, ensuring the Black Caps lifted the trophy with a composed run chase.

While Chasing 243, New Zealand suffered an early setback when Will Young was trapped LBW by Naseem Shah for five runs in the second over.

After the early wicket, New Zealand’s stalwart Kane Williamson and Devon Conway absorbed the pressure, adding 71 runs for the second wicket to stabilize the chase.

Williamson’s dismissal in the 17th over gave Pakistan a glimmer of hope. He departed after a steady 34 off 49 balls, leaving the game evenly poised.

Soon after, in the 24th over, Conway fell just two runs short of a well-deserved half-century, caught at deep midwicket. The left-handed opener, struggling with his form recently, hit five fours in his 48 off 74 balls.

Despite losing wickets at crucial junctures, New Zealand team batters stayed composed. After set batters departed, Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell controlled the innings with a decisive 87-run partnership for the fourth wicket, courtesy of Pakistan’s poor fielding.

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The duo stitched a vital partnership and scored crucial half-centuries. Mitchell scored 57 off 58 balls laced with six fours. After scoring his seventh ODI, he departed off Abrar Ahmed’s bowling.

Latham was caught by Abrar Ahmed after scoring 56 runs in the 44th over, but it was too late for the home team. The left-hander’s innings of 64 balls included five elegant fours.

After his wicket, Glenn Phillips remained calm and composed, taking his team to title glory with 20 off 17 deliveries.

Naseem Shah was Pakistan’s standout bowler, taking two for 43 in his eight overs. He provided breakthroughs early on and in the middle overs; however, the total proved insufficient as New Zealand dominantly secured the title of the Tri-Nation Series.

Will O’Rourke was named the Player of the Match after his phenomenal bowling performance, while Agha Salman bagged the Player of the Series award for his all-around brilliance.

Earlier, Will O’Rourke bowled brilliantly and took four wickets to bundle out Pakistan for 242 in 49.3 overs.

Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan opted to bat first. However, the hosts failed to get the desired start as O’Rourke gave New Zealand an early breakthrough, dismissing Fakhar Zaman (10).

Saud Shakeel (8) and Babar Azam added 30 runs for the second wicket before the former fell prey to Michael Bracewell.

Babar looked stable for his 34-ball 29, but he made an easy return catch with Nathan Smith, leaving Pakistan struggling at 54-3.

Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha once again joined hands to take Pakistan out of trouble with their solid partnership of 88 runs for the fourth wicket before O’Rourke struck again.

Pakistan captain top-scored for his team with a cautious 46-run knock from 76 balls, which featured four boundaries and one six.

Meanwhile, Salman soon fell prey to Bracewell after scoring 45 runs from 65 deliveries with the help of one four and one six.

New Zealand bowlers did not allow Pakistan to make a comeback as they kept picking wickets at regular intervals.

Tayyab Tahir played a valuable 38-run cameo, while Faheem Ashraf (22) and Naseem Shah (19) added crucial 39 runs for the ninth wicket. O’Rourke took the final wicket of Naseem to end Pakistan’s innings on 242.

For New Zealand, Will O’Rourke returned with the bowling figures of 4-43, while Michael Bracewell and Mitchell Santner bagged two wickets each.

Playing XIs

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

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

READ: Babar Azam achieves major milestone during New Zealand clash

Babar Azam achieves major milestone during New Zealand clash

KARACHI: Pakistan batting maestro Babar Azam etched his name in the history books during the ongoing tri-nation series final against New Zealand here at National Bank Stadium on Friday.

During the first innings, Babar equalled South African batting legend Hashim Amla’s long-standing record of being the fastest to 6000 runs in ODI cricket, both achieving the feat in 123 innings.

Babar needed 10 runs to reach the milestone and he achieved the feat in the seventh over in style with a boundary off Jacob Duffy.

It’s worth noting that Babar Azam holds the record for being the fastest batter to score 5000 ODI runs, having achieved the landmark in 97 innings.

The right-handed batter is the 11th Pakistani batter to cross the landmark, meanwhile, legendary Inzamam-ul-Haq is the highest run-scorer from Pakistan in ODI cricket with 11701 runs.

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Moreover, Babar has scored 19 ODI centuries, placing him in an impressive second position in the list of most hundreds by Pakistani batters.

He is just one century away from equaling the legendary Saeed Anwar’s record of 20 centuries.

Additionally, if Babar Azam manages to score his 20th century in the tri-nation ODI series final against New Zealand, he will become the second-fastest batter to achieve this feat.

Amla tops the list, having reached the milestone in 108 innings.

READ: Kevin Pietersen names his semi-finalists for Champions Trophy 2025

New Zealand beat Pakistan by 5 wickets to clinch tri-nation series final

KARACHI: Daryl Mitchell’s and Tom Latham’s half-centuries help New Zealand to clinch the tri-nation series final against Pakistan here at National Bank Stadium on Friday.

NZ 243/5 (45.2 Overs)

45.3: Faheem to Phillips, Wide. Here is the moment, New Zealand comprehensively clinches the tri-nation series trophy.

Faheem Ashraf comes in the bowling attack.

NZ 236/5 (44 Overs)

44.1: Shaheen Shah Afridi to Latham, OUT

Tom Latham 56 (64b 5×4 0x6) SR: 87.5

Shaheen comes in to bowl

NZ 232/4 (43 Overs)

Abrar continues to bowl

NZ 224/4 (42 Overs)

Khushdil shah into the attack

NZ 221/4 (41 Overs)

Abrar continues

NZ 204/4 (40 Overs)

Naseem continues

NZ 195/4 (39 Overs)

38.6: Abrar Ahmed to Mitchell, OUT. Finally, Pakistan has made a breakthrough, but it’s too little, too late now.

Daryl Mitchell 57 (58b 6×4 0x6) SR: 98.27

38.4: Abrar Ahmed to Mitchell, FOUR runs. What a way to bring up your 7th ODI fifty.

Abrar continues

NZ 181/3 (38 Overs)

Naseem comes back into the attack.

NZ 174/3 (37 Overs)

Abrar continues

NZ 169/3 (36 Overs)

Shaheen continues

NZ 160/3 (35 Overs)

Abrar to continue

NZ 156/3 (34 Overs)

Shaheen continues

NZ 145/3 (33 Overs)

Abrar continues

NZ 143/3 (32 Overs)

Shaheen continues

NZ 140/3 (31 Overs)

Abrar back into the attack

NZ 133/3 (30 Overs)

Salman continues

NZ 127/3 (29 Overs)

Naseem to continue

NZ 124/3 (28 Overs)

Salman continues

NZ 120/3 (27 Overs)

Naseem continues

NZ 118/3 (26 Overs)

Salman continues

NZ 113/3 (25 Overs)

24.2: Naseem Shah to Conway; Pakistan senses a comeback after this wicket.

Devon Conway 48 (74b 5×4 0x6) SR: 64.86

Naseem back into the attack

NZ 107/2 (24 Overs)

Salman continues

NZ 99/2 (23 Overs)

Khushdil continues from the other end.

NZ 92/2 (22 Overs)

Salman continues

NZ 89/2 (21 Overs)

Khushdil continues

NZ 85/2 (20 Overs)

Salman to continue

NZ 81/2 (19 Overs)

Khushdil continues

NZ 78/2 (18 Overs)

17.2: Salman to Williamson, OUT, stumps rattled. Big wicket for Pakistan.

Kane Williamson 34 (49b 3×4 1×6) SR: 69.38

NZ 75/1 (17 Overs)

Khushdil Shah comes into bowl the 16th over.

NZ 72/1 (16 Overs)

Salman to continue

NZ 71/1 (15 Overs)

Abrar continues

NZ 63/1 (14 Overs)

Salman continues

NZ 53/1 (13 Overs)

Abrar continues

NZ 51/1 (12 Overs)

Agha Salman into the attack from the other end.

NZ 49/1 (11 Overs)

Change in the bowling attack. It’s spin time. Abrar Ahmed bowls from over the wicket

NZ 45/1 (10 Overs)

Shaheen continues

NZ 36/1 (9 Overs)

Faheem continues

NZ 29/1 (8 Overs)

Shaheen continues

NZ 28/1 (7 Overs)

Change in the bowling. Faheem Ashraf comes into attack

NZ 26/1 (6 Overs)

Naseem continues

NZ 17/1 (5 Overs)

Shaheen to continue

NZ 15/1 (4 Overs)

Naseem Shah continues

NZ 8/1 (3 Overs)

Shaheen Afridi continues

NZ 6/1 (2 Overs)

1.2: Early breakthrough for Pakistan as Shah traps Young LBW!!

Will Young 5 (7b 1×4 0x6) SR: 71.42

Naseem Shah with the ball from the other end.

NZ 5/0 (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 (2nd INNINGS)

Will O’Rourke took four wickets to bundle Pakistan for 242 in the final of the tri-nation ODI series against New Zealand.

PAK 242 (49.3 Overs)

49.3: Bracewell takes a blinder, and Pakistan has been bowled out for 242 in 49.3 overs.

Naseem Shah 19 (17b 1×4 1×6 24m) SR: 111.76

49.1: lower back of a length ball on off, Faheem looks to go up and over but is deceived by the pace of that. Spoons this straight up and Santner does the rest at mid-off

Faheem Ashraf 22 (21b 2×4 0x6 33m) SR: 104.76

O’Rourke continues

PAK 228/8 (49 Overs)

Smith returns

PAK 228/8 (48 Overs)

O’Rourke is back from over the wicket

PAK 219/8 (47 Overs)

Phillips continues

PAK 210/8 (46 Overs)

Santner continues

PAK 207/8 (45 Overs)

Phillips continues

PAK 202/8 (44 Overs)

43.6: Santner to Shaheen Shah Afridi, another wicket!! Two wickets in the over further dents Pakistan.

Shaheen Shah Afridi 1 (4b 0x4 0x6 2m) SR: 25

43.1: Santner to Khushdil, OUT. Poor shot selection at this stage of the innings.

Khushdil Shah 7 (18b 0x4 0x6 29m) SR: 38.88

Another change. Santner comes into bowl

PAK 200/6 (43 Overs)

Phillips comes back into the attack from around the wicket.

PAK 196/6 (42 Overs)

41.5: Duffy picks up the wicket of Tayyab Tahir! He miscued the ball straight to the mid-wicket fielder, who took a simple catch.

Tayyab Tahir 38 (33b 4×4 1×6 37m) SR: 115.15

PAK 193/5 (41 Overs)

Michael Bracewell continues

PAK 181/5 (40 Overs)

Jacob Duffy continues

PAK 167/5 (39 Overs)

Michael Bracewell continues

PAK 165/5 (38 Overs)

Jacob Duffy returns

PAK 162/5 (37 Overs)

36.5: Tossed up and outside off, Agha shapes to reverse-sweep but ends up top-edging it to Duffy at short third.

Salman Agha 45 (65b 1×4 1×6) SR: 69.23

Michael Bracewell continues

PAK 158/4 (36 Overs)

Mitchell Santner continues

PAK 156/4 (35 Overs)

Michael Bracewell continues

PAK 152/4 (34 Overs)

Mitchell Santner to bowl from the other end

PAK 150/4 (33 Overs)

Michael Bracewell returns

PAK 143/4 (32 Overs)

31.5: Cross-seam delivery from O’Rourke which creates the natural variation, the ball crashes into the leg stump via the deflection off the inside edge

Mohammad Rizwan 46 (76b 4×4 1×6) SR: 60.52

Will O’Rourke continues

PAK 132/3 (31 Overs)

Nathan Smith continues

PAK 122/3 (30 Overs)

Will O’Rourke continues

PAK 117/3 (29 Overs)

Nathan Smith continues

PAK 114/3 (28 Overs)

Will O’Rourke returns to the attack

PAK 112/3 (27 Overs)

Nathan Smith continues

PAK 108/3 (26 Overs)

Mitchell Santner continues

PAK 108/3 (25 Overs)

Nathan Smith returns

PAK 100/3 (24 Overs)

Mitchell Santner continues

PAK 96/3 (23 Overs)

Glenn Phillips continues

PAK 84/3 (22 Overs)

Mitchell Santner continues

PAK 82/3 (21 Overs)

Glenn Phillips continues

PAK 78/3 (20 Overs)

Mitchell Santner continues

PAK 76/3 (19 Overs)

Glenn Phillips comes into the attack

PAK 69/3 (18 Overs)

Mitchell Santner continues

PAK 68/3 (17 Overs)

Michael Bracewell continues

PAK 65/3 (16 Overs)

Mitchell Santner comes into the attack

PAK 63/3 (15 Overs)

Michael Bracewell continues

PAK 61/3 (14 Overs)

Nathan Smith continues to bowl

PAK 57/3 (13 Overs)

Michael Bracewell continues

PAK 54/3 (12 Overs)

11.5: Babar has chipped a return catch, bowler accepts it gleefully.

Babar Azam 29 (34b 4×4 1×6) SR: 85.29

Nathan Smith into the attack.

PAK 50/2 (11 Overs)

Michael Bracewell continues

PAK 48/2 (10 Overs)

Will O’Rourke to continue

PAK 46/2 (9 Overs)

8.3: The bowl skids in from round the stumps, Saud Shakeel didn’t have room to play that shot either. Bracewell rattles off stump.

Saud Shakeel 8 (14b 1×4 0x6) SR: 57.14

Michael Bracewell comes onto bowl in the first powerplay

PAK 46/1 (8 Overs)

Will O’Rourke to continue

PAK 39/1 (7 Overs)

6.3: Babar reaches 6000 ODI runs – he becomes the joint fastest to the landmark alongside Amla.

Jacob Duffy continues

PAK 29/1 (6 Overs)

Will O’Rourke to continue

PAK 23/1 (5 Overs)

Jacob Duffy continues

PAK 16/1 (4 Overs)

3.5: O’Rourke goes fuller and ends up putting this on the pads of Fakhar Zaman. Instead of crashing it over square leg, Zaman weakly chips it straight to Will Young in the infield.

Fakhar Zaman 10 (15b 2×4 0x6) SR: 66.66

Will O’Rourke to continue

PAK 13/0 (3 Overs)

Jacob Duffy continues

PAK 11/0 (2 Overs)

Will O’Rourke to bowl the second over

PAK 1/0 (1 Over)

Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam to open the innings for Pakistan. Jacob Duffy will take the new ball for New Zealand.

PAKISTAN vs NEW ZEALAND (1st INNINGS)

Pakistan have won the toss and opted to bat first against New Zealand in the final of the tri-nation ODI series.

Playing XIs

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

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

HEAD TO HEAD

Pakistan and New Zealand have competed in a total of 117 ODI matches. Pakistan leads the head-to-head record with 61 victories, while New Zealand has won 52 matches. Additionally, three matches have ended without a result, and one match ended in a tie.

Matches 117, Pakistan 61, New Zealand 52, NR 3, Tie 1

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It’s worth noting that New Zealand qualified for the final on the back of their dominant victories over Pakistan and South Africa.

In the opening match, Glenn Phillips struck an unbeaten 106 off 74 to help the Kiwis defeat Pakistan, while in their second match star batter Kane Williamson’s century steered them to victory over South Africa.

Meanwhile, Pakistan defeated South Africa by six wickets in the third match, courtesy of captain Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha’s centuries, to qualify for the tri-nation series final.

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