ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Revealed - How can Pakistan qualify for semi-finals after loss to New Zealand

It was a disappointing start for Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as New Zealand crushed them by 60 runs in the tournament opener. The match between the teams took place on Wednesday (19th February) at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Pakistan looked clueless with the bat and ball, and there were not many moments in the game where they asserted their authority. Right from the start, New Zealand looked right on the money, and even though they came under pressure, they came up with a strong response.

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Pakistan conceded 320 runs against New Zealand

The hosts opted to field first and they had a decent start. After a 39-run opening partnership by Will Young and Devon Conway, Rizwan & Co. made a strong comeback and picked three wickets quickly. It seemed that they would restrict the opposition to the total under 250 but they couldn't keep the momentum with them.

Will Young slammed a magnificent century, scoring 107 runs. His performance was outshined by Tom Latham, who hit his 8th ODI ton, ending with the score of unbeaten 118 runs. The duo put on 118 runs partnership before Glenn Phillips played a blinder.

Phillips (61) slammed a brutal half-century as his 125-run partnership with Latham powered New Zealand to a total of 320 runs. The hosts' pacers had the worst outing as all of them went over an economy of 6, which was the main reason behind them conceecding a massive target.

Pakistan get all out for 260 to face 60-run defeat

The Mohammad Rizwan-led side had a horrible outing with the bat in the chase. Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan fell early while Babar Azam (64) slammed a fifty, but it came at a very slow strike rate, which put pressure on the other batters, who attempted to get quick runs.

Khushdil Shah (69) hit a crucial fifty in the end to keep his team in the hut, but the New Zealand bowlers were too good. The Mitchell Santner-led side bundled out Pakistan for 260 runs to win the game by 60 runs and start the tournament on high.

Qualification scenario for Pakistan after the loss to New Zealand in ICC Champions Trophy 2025

With the defeat against New Zealand, Pakistan have put themselves in a spot of bother in the context of the semi-final. Things now are tough for them to make it into the next stage of the tournament. If they have to go ahead, they first need to win their remaining games against India and Bangladesh.

Not only this, the Mohammad Rizwan-led side would want either India or Bangladesh to lose two of their remaining three games in the Champions Trophy 2025. In this case, the Mohammad Rizwan-led side will have four points while India and Bangladesh will finish below them. However, if they lose the next game, that would be out of race.

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