Pakistan began their campaign at home in the Champions Trophy 2025 on a horrific note, as they were decimated by New Zealand in the first game of the competition at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi by 60 runs. The Men in Green hoped to do well in the tournament, as they are hosting an ICC event for the first time in 29 years. This loss has now severely dented Pakistan as their route to qualifying for the semi-final has become a bit difficult. However, they still have a chance to qualify for the final four.

After the loss against New Zealand, Pakistan still have two matches to play. They take on India in a mega clash on February 23 followed by a match against Bangladesh on February 27.

If Pakistan want to more or less ensure a place in the semi-final, they need to first win both their remaining games. They would also hope that either India or Bangladesh lose two of their remaining three games in the Champions Trophy 2025. If this happens then Pakistan will have four points while New Zealand will finish on 4 or 6 points depending on the results. On the other hand, India and Bangladesh will have finish below the Kiwis and Pakistan, thus allowing the Mohammed Rizwan-led side to qualify for the semi-final.

However, if they lose their next game against India, then they are more or less knocked out from the competition.

Pakistan won the toss and opted to bowl first in the opening game of the Champions Trophy. They got off to a good start as they took three wickets for 73 runs inside 17 overs. However, Will Young and Tom Latham pulled things back in New Zealand's favour, as the duo put on a partnership of 118 runs. Young went on to slam a century, getting out for 106.

Glenn Phillips then joined Latham as the duo put on 125 runs for the fifth wicket. Latham went on to score the most runs by a batter in a Champions Trophy match against Pakistan as he remained not out of 118. Phillips also chipped in with a 38-ball 61. New Zealand scored 320/5 in the first innings.

The hosts never looked in control while chasing. Khushdil Shah and Salman Ali Agha were the only batters who were looking in control as they slammed 69 and 42 runs respectively. Babar Azam too scored 64 but he wasted a lot of deliveries in his innings, scoring his runs in 90 balls. The Men in Green could only manage 260 as they lost by 60 runs

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