Karachi: New Zealand's captain, Mitchell Santner, acknowledged that their initial target was to score between 260 and 280 runs. However, a solid foundation enabled them to achieve an impressive total of 320/5 in their Champions Trophy opener against the defending champions, Pakistan, in Karachi.
On a dry pitch riddled with cracks, Pakistan quickly dismantled New Zealand's formidable batting lineup, which included Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, and Daryl Mitchell.
As Pakistan gained momentum, New Zealand found themselves in a precarious position, requiring a remarkable partnership to reach a competitive score. Tom Latham (118*) and Will Young (107) emerged as the team's heroes, forming a crucial 118-run partnership.
Following Young's departure, Glenn Phillips took center stage, reminiscent of past performances in Karachi, and he made a significant impact on Pakistan's bowling attack.
He lit up the Karachi sky with his explosive batting, scoring 61 runs off just 39 balls, including three fours and four sixes. Alongside Latham, New Zealand concluded their innings with a formidable total of 320/5, surpassing their initial expectations.
"I thought Pakistan bowled well, even during the middle overs, but Young and Latham did a great job rotating the strike and finding boundaries that set us up nicely. We were aiming for 260-280, but it demonstrates what can be achieved with a solid platform and wickets in hand. After reaching that score, our bowlers delivered an exceptional performance in the first 10 overs, effectively maintaining pressure," Santner remarked during the post-match presentation.
New Zealand embarked on their mission to defend their total, leaving Pakistan's top order in disarray with their remarkable bowling performances. William O'Rourke sent Saud Shakeel back to the pavilion and further unsettled Pakistan by enticing captain Mohammad Rizwan into an aggressive cut shot.
As the ball soared off Rizwan's bat, he anticipated it would race to the boundary. However, Glenn Phillips showcased his athleticism, diving to his left in an instant to make a stunning catch with one hand.
"We applied pressure on the run rate and managed to take wickets consistently. We expect catches like that from Glenn, and dismissing Rizwan in such a manner was exceptional," he remarked.
New Zealand displayed a disciplined approach with the ball, as the seamers consistently targeted a shorter length while the spinners employed slower deliveries to control the scoring pace.
"Tonight, the dew was minimal, possibly due to the wind, but maintaining that slightly shorter length of 9-10 meters was vital for the fast bowlers, while our spinners benefited from bowling slower to allow the ball to grip. Our ground fielding was also superb, effectively containing the new batsmen," he concluded.
With an impressive 60-run victory and two points secured, New Zealand is set to travel to Rawalpindi for their next group-stage match against Bangladesh on February 24.
