- A black cat disrupted play during the Pakistan vs New Zealand Champions Trophy 2025 opener, creating a viral moment .
- New Zealand dominated with a 60-run victory, powered by centuries from Tom Latham and Will Young .
- Pakistan’s batting struggles continued, despite efforts from Babar Azam and Khushdil Shah .
Karachi Stadium Welcomes a Furry Intruder During Champions Trophy Opener
A black cat stole the spotlight during the Champions Trophy 2025 opener between Pakistan and New Zealand at National Stadium, Karachi. The cat entered the field in the 31st over, delaying play briefly as players and fans watched in amusement . This marked its second appearance in a week after interrupting the tri-series final between the same teams .
— kuchbhi@1234567 (@kuchbhi12341416) February 19, 2025
Commentator Danny Morrison humorously noted, “The Black Caps are joined on the field by the black cat” during the incident . The Pakistan Cricket Board shared a video of the moment, which went viral on social media . Earlier, the cat had narrowly escaped a kite attack, adding to the drama .
The interruption did not affect New Zealand’s focus, as they capitalized on Pakistan’s shaky batting to secure a strong position. The cat’s antics became a lighthearted highlight in an otherwise tense match .
New Zealand’s Commanding Performance Overshadows Pakistan’s Struggles
New Zealand posted a formidable 320/5 in their innings, thanks to Tom Latham’s unbeaten 118 and Will Young’s 107 . Glenn Phillips accelerated the score with a fiery 61 off 39 balls, ensuring a challenging target for Pakistan .
Pakistan’s chase began poorly, losing Saud Shakeel and captain Mohammad Rizwan early. Babar Azam fought hard with a 64-run knock, but his slow strike rate (64 off 90 balls) hurt Pakistan’s momentum . Khushdil Shah’s aggressive 69 off 49 balls provided hope, but the team fell short at 260 all out .
Key Performers for New Zealand:
- William O’Rourke (3/47) and Mitchell Santner (3 wickets) dismantled Pakistan’s middle order .
- Glenn Phillips took a stunning catch to dismiss Rizwan, shifting the game’s momentum .
Key Moments That Defined the Pakistan vs New Zealand Clash
- Babar Azam’s Gritty Half-Century:
Babar anchored Pakistan’s innings with a 50 off 81 balls, but his dismissal by Santner ended hopes of a comeback . His knock highlighted Pakistan’s reliance on top-order stability. - Khushdil Shah’s Late Surge:
Khushdil smashed 4 sixes in his 69-run innings, reducing the deficit temporarily. However, his dismissal by O’Rourke sealed Pakistan’s fate . - Santner’s Spin Dominance:
The left-arm spinner removed Babar and Tayyab Tahir in quick succession, exploiting Karachi’s turning pitch .
From Tri-Series to Champions Trophy: New Zealand’s Winning Momentum
New Zealand entered the Champions Trophy with confidence after defeating Pakistan in the tri-series final days earlier . Their bowling strategy—targeting shorter lengths and slower spin—proved effective in both matches .
Squad Changes and Adaptations:
- Jacob Duffy replaced injured Ben Sears, strengthening New Zealand’s pace attack .
- Tom Latham’s leadership and adaptability to Karachi’s conditions were pivotal in both victories .
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Pakistan and New Zealand in Champions Trophy 2025?
New Zealand will face Bangladesh (February 24) and India (March 2), aiming to maintain their winning streak . Their balanced squad and familiarity with Asian pitches make them strong contenders.
Pakistan, meanwhile, must address:
- Powerplay batting failures (scoring 22/2 in 10 overs) .
- Injuries to Fakhar Zaman, who struggled with fitness during the match .
Their next game against India on February 24 will test their ability to rebound under pressure.
Check out the Champions Trophy Schedule, Champions Trophy Live Score, Champions Trophy Squads , Champions Trophy Stats Champions Trophy Tour, Champions Trophy Venues & Champions Trophy Latest News here!
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Matches
Pakistan vs New Zealand - 1st Match, Group A | Bangladesh vs India - 2nd Match, Group A | Afghanistan vs South Africa - 3rd Match, Group B | Australia vs England - 4th Match, Group B | Pakistan vs India - 5th Match, Group A | Bangladesh vs New Zealand - 6th Match, Group A | Australia vs South Africa - 7th Match, Group B | Afghanistan vs England - 8th Match, Group B | Pakistan vs Bangladesh - 9th Match, Group A | Afghanistan vs Australia - 10th Match, Group B | England vs South Africa - 11th Match, Group B | New Zealand vs India - 12th Match, Group A | TBA vs TBA, 1st Semi-Final | TBA vs TBA, 2nd Semi-Final | TBA vs TBA, Final |
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Teams
PAKISTAN | NEW ZEALAND | BANGLADESH | INDIA | AFGHANISTAN | SOUTH AFRICA | AUSTRALIA | ENGLAND
