by The world of cricket witnessed something truly special when the New Zealand national cricket team vs Pakistan national cricket team match scorecard revealed one of the most captivating encounters of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
This wasn’t just another cricket match – it was a showcase of skill, determination, and sporting excellence that took place on February 19, 2025, at the iconic National Stadium in Karachi.
When cricket fans look at the NZ national cricket team vs Pakistan national cricket team match scorecard, they see more than just numbers and statistics.
They see a story of two teams giving their absolute best, with New Zealand emerging victorious by 60 runs in what turned out to be a masterclass in both batting and bowling. The match demonstrated why cricket is loved by millions around the world.
The Pakistan national cricket team vs New Zealand national cricket team match scorecard tells us about incredible individual performances, tactical brilliance, and moments that will be remembered for years to come.
New Zealand’s total of 320/5 in 50 overs was built on solid partnerships and explosive finishing, while Pakistan’s chase of 260 all out in 47.2 overs showed both fighting spirit and the challenges of chasing a big target under pressure.
New Zealand National Cricket Team Vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
This comprehensive analysis will help you understand every aspect of this thrilling encounter and why it matters so much in the context of international cricket.
Match Overview
The stage was set perfectly at Karachi’s National Stadium when Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and made the decision to bowl first. This choice seemed logical at the time, as many teams prefer to chase targets rather than set them, especially in big tournaments like the ICC Champions Trophy.
Pakistan’s decision to field first meant they wanted to restrict New Zealand to a manageable total and then chase it down with their batting lineup. However, cricket is a game where plans don’t always work out as expected, and New Zealand had different ideas about how this match would unfold.
From the very first ball, it was clear that both teams were prepared for a battle. New Zealand’s opening batsmen faced a Pakistan bowling attack that included some of the fastest bowlers in world cricket. The early exchanges set the tone for what would become an absolutely fascinating contest between bat and ball.
The match conditions favored batting, with a good pitch and perfect weather. Both teams knew that a score around 300 would be competitive, but nobody expected the kind of batting display that New Zealand would eventually produce.
Essential Match Information:
- Tournament: ICC Champions Trophy 2025
- Date: February 19, 2025
- Venue: National Stadium, Karachi, Pakistan
- Toss: Pakistan won and chose to bowl first
- Match Type: 50-over One Day International
- Result: New Zealand won by 60 runs
New Zealand Innings Analysis
New Zealand’s innings was a perfect example of how to build a big total in One Day International cricket. Their journey to 320/5 wasn’t smooth sailing from the beginning, but it showed the depth and quality of their batting lineup.
Early Struggles and Recovery
The innings started with some concerns for New Zealand when they found themselves at 40/2 after losing Devon Conway and Kane Williamson early. Conway managed only 10 runs before being caught by Rizwan off Naseem Shah’s bowling, while the experienced Williamson was dismissed for just 1 run by leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed.
| Batsman | Runs | Balls Faced | Boundaries | Sixes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devon Conway | 10 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Will Young | 107 | 113 | 12 | 1 | 94.69 |
| Kane Williamson | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 33.33 |
| Daryl Mitchell | 12 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 60.00 |
| Tom Latham | 118* | 104 | 14 | 2 | 113.46 |
| Glenn Phillips | 61 | 39 | 6 | 3 | 156.41 |
| Michael Bracewell | 1* | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
The Game-Changing Partnership
What happened next was pure magic. Will Young and Tom Latham came together to form a partnership that completely changed the course of the match. These two batsmen understood exactly what their team needed and delivered it with precision and power.
Young’s century was a masterpiece of timing and placement. He scored 107 runs off 113 balls, finding the boundary 12 times and clearing it once for a six. His innings showed patience when needed and aggression when the opportunity arose.
Latham’s unbeaten 118 was even more impressive. Playing as the wicket-keeper batsman, he showed incredible skill and composure under pressure. His 14 boundaries and 2 sixes came at crucial moments, and his ability to stay not out till the end meant New Zealand could maximize their total.
The Explosive Finish
Glenn Phillips provided the perfect finishing touch to New Zealand’s innings with a blistering 61 runs off just 39 balls. His innings included 6 boundaries and 3 sixes, showing how modern cricket rewards aggressive batting in the final overs.
Pakistan’s Bowling Performance:
| Bowler | Overs | Runs Conceded | Wickets | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaheen Afridi | 10 | 60 | 0 | 6.00 |
| Naseem Shah | 10 | 63 | 2 | 6.30 |
| Haris Rauf | 10 | 83 | 2 | 8.30 |
| Abrar Ahmed | 10 | 55 | 1 | 5.50 |
| Salman Agha | 7 | 38 | 0 | 5.43 |
Pakistan’s Chase – A Story of What Could Have Been
Chasing 321 runs was always going to be a challenging task for Pakistan, but their batting lineup had the talent and experience to make it happen. Unfortunately, cricket matches are won and lost by small margins, and Pakistan found themselves on the wrong side of those margins.
Top Order Troubles
Pakistan’s chase got off to the worst possible start when Saud Shakeel was dismissed for just 6 runs in the 4th over. This early wicket put immediate pressure on the rest of the batting lineup, as they knew they couldn’t afford any more cheap dismissals.
Mohammad Rizwan, the captain and wicket-keeper, was expected to anchor the innings, but he too fell early for just 3 runs. This left Pakistan at 22/2, already behind the required run rate and needing a special partnership to get back into the game.
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | Boundaries | Sixes | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saud Shakeel | 6 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 35.29 |
| Babar Azam | 64 | 81 | 7 | 0 | 79.01 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | 3 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 21.43 |
| Fakhar Zaman | 33 | 51 | 4 | 0 | 64.71 |
| Salman Agha | 42 | 28 | 4 | 2 | 150.00 |
| Khushdil Shah | 69 | 49 | 10 | 1 | 140.82 |
Babar Azam’s Steady Approach
Babar Azam, one of the world’s best batsmen, tried to rebuild the innings with a typical display of classical stroke play. His 64 runs off 81 balls showed great technique and temperament, but in the context of chasing 321, his strike rate of 79.01 was probably too slow.
Cricket experts often debate whether Babar should have taken more risks earlier in his innings. While his approach kept wickets in hand, it also meant Pakistan fell further behind the required run rate with each passing over.
The Fightback Heroes
Two players stood out in Pakistan’s chase with their aggressive approach. Khushdil Shah played a brilliant innings of 69 runs off 49 balls, hitting 10 boundaries and 1 six. His strike rate of 140.82 showed exactly the kind of batting Pakistan needed throughout their innings.
Salman Agha also contributed valuable runs with 42 off 28 balls, including 4 boundaries and 2 sixes. His strike rate of 150.00 demonstrated that aggressive batting was possible against New Zealand’s bowling attack.
Key Performance Analysis
Tom Latham – Player of the Match
Tom Latham’s unbeaten 118 was the cornerstone of New Zealand’s victory. What made his innings special wasn’t just the runs he scored, but the way he paced his innings perfectly. He knew when to be patient and when to attack, showing the kind of cricket intelligence that separates good players from great ones.
His partnership with Will Young added 151 runs for the fourth wicket, which proved to be the decisive moment of the match. Latham’s ability to stay calm under pressure and guide his team to a winning total earned him the Player of the Match award.
Will Young’s Century
Will Young’s 107 runs came at exactly the right time for New Zealand. After the early loss of Conway and Williamson, New Zealand needed someone to rebuild the innings, and Young did exactly that. His 12 boundaries were perfectly timed, and his single six showed he could clear the boundary when needed.
Khushdil Shah’s Heroic Effort
Despite being on the losing side, Khushdil Shah’s 69 runs off 49 balls was one of the best innings of the match. He showed that Pakistan’s total could have been much higher if other batsmen had supported him better. His 10 boundaries came from excellent shot selection and timing.
Bowling Performances That Made the Difference
New Zealand’s Bowling Attack
New Zealand’s bowling was perfectly balanced between pace and spin. Will O’Rourke led the pace attack with 3 wickets for 47 runs in his 10 overs, while Mitchell Santner provided excellent control with his spin bowling, also taking 3 wickets.
Matt Henry was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/34 in 9.2 overs. His economy rate of 3.64 runs per over showed how effectively he controlled Pakistan’s scoring rate.
New Zealand Bowling Figures:
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Henry | 9.2 | 34 | 3 | 3.64 |
| Will O’Rourke | 10 | 47 | 3 | 4.70 |
| Nathan Smith | 8 | 50 | 0 | 6.25 |
| Mitchell Santner | 10 | 66 | 3 | 6.60 |
| Michael Bracewell | 10 | 58 | 1 | 5.80 |
Pakistan’s Bowling Struggles
Pakistan’s bowling attack, led by Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, couldn’t quite find the right length and line consistently. While they took wickets at regular intervals, they leaked too many runs in the process.
Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf each took 2 wickets, but their economy rates of 6.30 and 8.30 respectively, showed they were expensive. Abrar Ahmed was the most economical with 5.50 runs per over for his 1 wicket.
Historical Context and Tournament Implications
This victory continued New Zealand’s recent dominance over Pakistan in ODI cricket. It was their fourth consecutive ODI win against Pakistan in Pakistan, which is particularly impressive given how difficult it usually is to win in subcontinental conditions.
Head-to-Head Record
The overall ODI record between these teams shows how evenly matched they have been historically:
| Statistic | Details |
|---|---|
| Total ODI Matches | 122 |
| Pakistan Wins | 61 |
| New Zealand Wins | 57 |
| No Result/Tied | 3/1 |
| Recent Form | New Zealand 4-1 in the last 5 matches |
Tournament Impact
This victory gave New Zealand tremendous confidence going into the rest of the Champions Trophy. For Pakistan, the loss highlighted areas they need to improve, particularly their approach to chasing big totals and their death-over bowling.
The match also showed that both teams have the potential to go far in the tournament, but they need to address their weaknesses quickly in such a competitive field.
What This Match Teaches Us About Modern Cricket?
This encounter perfectly demonstrated several key aspects of modern One Day International cricket. The importance of partnerships, the value of finishing strongly in the final overs, and the need for bowlers to maintain control under pressure were all on display.
New Zealand’s approach showed how teams can recover from early setbacks with smart cricket and positive intent. Pakistan’s chase illustrated both the excitement and the challenges of pursuing big targets in contemporary cricket.
The match also highlighted how individual brilliance can change games, with performances from Latham, Young, and Khushdil Shah showing the impact that special innings can have on match outcomes.
Conclusion
The New Zealand national cricket team vs Pakistan national cricket team match scorecard from February 19, 2025, will be remembered as one of the standout games of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
New Zealand’s comprehensive 60-run victory was built on excellent batting performances from Tom Latham and Will Young, combined with disciplined bowling that kept Pakistan’s chase under control throughout.
For New Zealand, this victory demonstrated their credentials as serious contenders for the Champions Trophy title. Their ability to post a big total and then defend it successfully showed the kind of all-around strength that wins major tournaments.
Pakistan, despite the defeat, showed glimpses of the talent that makes them such a dangerous team. Khushdil Shah’s fighting innings and the bowling efforts of their pace attack proved they have the skills to compete at the highest level.
This match ended with New Zealand celebrating a well-deserved 60-run victory that put them in an excellent position for the remainder of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
