ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Watch - Abrar Ahmed shatters Devon Conway’s stumps with a ripper

The much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025 finally got underway on Wednesday, February 19, with Pakistan taking on New Zealand at the National Stadium in Karachi. After winning the toss, the defending champions invited the Black Caps to bat first, and they got two quick wickets in the powerplay.

Abrar Ahmed struck early in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener, giving the Men in Green a dream start against New Zealand in Karachi. The mystery spinner delivered a beauty to clean up Devon Conway for just 10 runs off 19 balls in the eighth over at the National Stadium.

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Watch - Abrar Ahmed’s stunning delivery sends Devon Conway packing in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener

Abrar Ahmed bowled a clever carrom ball that skidded straight instead of turning, and the Kiwi opener was completely beaten by the delivery. Devon Conway missed it, and the ball sneaked past the New Zealand opener’s bat and crashed into the off-stump as the Pakistan team got the first big breakthrough in the tournament opener.

As the Karachi crowd roared high, Abrar celebrated with his trademark folded-arms pose; his teammates swarmed around him in excitement.

Abrar Ahmed to Conway, out Bowled!! A ripper from Abrar to get the first wicket of the 2025 Champions Trophy!!#pakvsnz #ChampionsTrophy #PAKVNZ pic.twitter.com/fyykaQ1H96

— Awais Zia (@IamAwais_Zia) February 19, 2025

Black Caps in trouble as Pakistan bowlers dominate early in Karachi

Well, the Black Caps had a poor start with the bat, as they lost their former captain Kane Williamson, who was on fire with the willow recently, cheaply for a single. Williamson could face only two balls before Naseem Shah and Mohammad Rizwan sent him back to the pavilion.

Daryl Mitchell also failed to live up to the expectations under pressure as Haris Rauf dismissed the Kiwi all-rounder for 10 runs off 24 balls. It was a strong comeback from the Men in Green after losing the home Tri-nation ODI series to New Zealand recently.

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However, the Black Caps’ opener Will Young is looking dangerous, hitting a quick fifty off 56 balls against Pakistan. New Zealand’s current score reads 77/3 in 17 overs, as the defending champions aim for a strong start to their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.

The Black Caps have been rocked with injuries, and now Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025, while Rachin Ravindra, who suffered a freak injury on his forehead during the recent Tri-nation ODI series, failed to regain match fitness for the tournament opener.

We will be under a bit more pressure: Mohammad Rizwan

Notably, Pakistan's national anthem was played at home at an ICC tournament for the first time since 1996. It was a proud and special moment for the hosts and defending champions, and captain Mohammad Rizwan admitted that this historic moment brings pressure to the team.

Rizwan said at the toss, “We are the defending champions, so we will be under a bit more pressure, but we will treat it like the previous tri-series. Playing in Pakistan will be great as well.”

Notably, the big game of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy will be played between India and Pakistan on February 23 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai. India will kick off their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai, where they will play all their Champions Trophy 2025 matches.