The start of the Champions Trophy 2025 was nothing short of spectacular as Pakistan locked horns with New Zealand at Karachi’s National Stadium. Cricket enthusiasts were filled with excitement as this esteemed tournament made its comeback and the host team was eager to set the tone with a victory. Yet, New Zealand had other plans, putting up a big score that set the stakes sky-high for Pakistan.
New Zealand, batting first, delivered a masterclass in cricketing prowess, racking up 320/5 in their 50 overs. Will Young made a significant contribution with 107 runs, while Tom Latham stood strong with an unbeaten 118, navigating the team to a formidable total. The Pakistani bowling lineup struggled to dismantle key partnerships, giving the visitors the upper hand.
In Pakistan’s pursuit of 321, early wickets tumbled with Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, and Fakhar Zaman making early exits, leaving the home side in a precarious position at 69/3. It was then that Babar Azam stepped to the crease, attempting to steady the innings alongside Salman Ali Agha. Though Babar’s strategy to keep his wicket intact was clear, his cautious approach frustrated many. With a strike rate hovering just above 71, fans were not impressed, especially in a situation demanding rapid scoring.
Despite his prolonged stay at the crease, Babar couldn’t find the momentum shift needed, handing New Zealand’s bowlers the control they craved. He eventually departed for 64 off 90 balls, and his dismissal was a major setback that further dimmed Pakistan’s hopes of a successful chase. As the required run rate climbed and wickets at the other end kept crumbling, Pakistan found themselves stuck, unable to match the tempo set by New Zealand.
As defeat loomed, fans took to social media to vent their disappointment, many criticizing Babar’s innings as overly cautious and self-serving.
In the midst of this, a spectacular moment stood out as Glenn Phillips pulled off a stunning one-handed catch to send Mohammad Rizwan back to the pavilion—just one of the many highlights of this gripping match-up between Pakistan and New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025.
Here’s a glimpse of how fans reacted:
Numerous tweets echoed the sentiments of frustration, humor, and critique towards Babar Azam’s performance, illustrating the side-splitting yet earnest engagement cricket fans have with the sport, all while underlining the pressures of international cricket.
This encounter has set the stage for what promises to be a riveting tournament, with every game adding more intensity and anticipation for fans around the world.
