New Zealand’s top order delivered a commanding performance against Pakistan in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the National Stadium, Karachi. Will Young and Tom Latham became only the fifth pair in Champions Trophy history to score centuries in the same innings, setting up a strong total for the Kiwis.
Latham and Young’s Record Partnership Tom Latham notched up his 8th ODI century, reaching the milestone off just 99 balls. The New Zealand red-ball captain proved his versatility in white-ball cricket, bringing up a well-paced hundred. He removed his helmet and acknowledged the dressing room as he celebrated a vital knock for his side.
Earlier in the innings, Will Young had registered his maiden Champions Trophy century, scoring 107 off 113 balls before falling to Naseem Shah. His innings was particularly unique as it was the most evenly split century for New Zealand in ODIs since 2007 in terms of front-foot (49.5%) and back-foot (48.6%) balls played, surpassing Ross Taylor’s 110 against England in 2015.
Stat Alert: Multiple Centuries in a Champions Trophy Innings
- Virender Sehwag (126) & Sourav Ganguly (117)* vs ENG, Colombo (2002)
- Chris Gayle (101) & Dwayne Bravo (112)* vs ENG, Ahmedabad (2006)
- Shane Watson (136) & Ricky Ponting (111)** vs ENG, Centurion (2009 SF)
- Shakib Al Hasan (114) & Mahmudullah (102)* vs NZ, Cardiff (2017)
- Will Young (107) & Tom Latham (100)* vs PAK, Karachi (2025)
New Zealand, after electing to bat, were well placed at 305/4 in 48.5 overs, with Glenn Phillips providing the finishing touches with a quickfire 55 off 36 balls.
Score Update (48.5 Overs)
- Tom Latham – 114* (101), 10 fours, 3 sixes
- Glenn Phillips – 55 (36), 2 fours, 4 sixes
- Shaheen Afridi: 9.5-0-67-0
- Haris Rauf: 9-0-71-1
With two set batters at the crease, New Zealand look poised for a big finish in the last over.