Pakistan’s much-anticipated Champions Trophy campaign got off to a disappointing start as the team struggled for momentum against New Zealand at Karachi Stadium on Wednesday.
The Green Shirts endured a tough outing with the bat, playing a staggering 162 dot balls out of 284 deliveries—one of their slowest performances in recent times.
With wickets falling at regular intervals, only Khushdil Shah and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha showed some resistance. Star batter Babar Azam played 52 dot balls, while Fakhar Zaman endured an unusually slow innings, consuming 30 deliveries without scoring a run. Saud Shakeel and captain Mohammad Rizwan also found it difficult to accelerate, facing 15 and 11 dot balls, respectively.
New Zealand capitalized on Pakistan’s passive approach, maintaining pressure through disciplined bowling. The lack of momentum prevented any major partnerships, and the sluggish scoring rate ultimately proved costly, allowing the Black Caps to secure a commanding 60-run victory.
Adding to the disappointment, the defeat came on a historic occasion, as Pakistan was hosting the Champions Trophy after a long wait. The loss dampened the spirits of the home crowd, who had high hopes for a strong start. However, with the tournament still in its early stages, Pakistan has an opportunity to regroup and bounce back in the upcoming matches.