Champions Trophy PAK vs NZ: Babar Azam’s go-slow, Glenn Phillips stunner and other first impressions
Pakistan look slow and unsteady while New Zealand get off to a flying start.
Pakistan's Babar Azam plays a shot during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Karachi, Pakistan. (AP) New Zealand beat Pakistan by 60 runs to make a strong start to their Champions Trophy campaign. It leaves Mohammad Rizwan’s team in a perilous position to qualify for the semifinals in a ICC tournament they are hosting after nearly three decades. Here are two key first impressions each from the match in Karachi.
Will Young makes the most of it
New Zealand’s Will Young celebrates after scoring century during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Karachi, Pakistan. (AP)
If Kane Williamson was fit and available, he might not have played a Test in India last year. But Will Young, as the cliche goes, grabbed his chances with both hands, and emerged as the Player of the Series as New Zealand sealed a historic whitewash. So much so that he was left out of the Test XI when the former captain returned fit for a home series against England. At CT, if Rachin Ravindra was fit, perhaps NZ would have been forced to rethink Young’s place in the first XI. But with the left-hander still out, Young scored a superb century to set the base of NZ’s 320 in the tournament opener. It is a classy knock that should likely seal his place at the top for the remainder of NZ’s campaign.
New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips attempts to stop the ball during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Karachi, Pakistan. (AP)
Pakistan’s Babar Azam reacts as he walks off the field after his dismissal during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Karachi, Pakistan. (AP)
Pakistan’s Khushdil Shah bats during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Karachi, Pakistan. (AP)
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