New Zealand’s Will Young etched his name in the record books by scoring the first century of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy during the opening match against Pakistan in Karachi on Wednesday. The right-handed batter reached his milestone in 107 deliveries, smashing 11 fours and 1 six in a well-paced innings.
Young had a few close calls on his way to the century. While on 87, he survived a run-out scare, but replays confirmed he had safely crossed the crease. Later, when he was on 99, he found himself out of the crease at the non-striker’s end, but the throw narrowly missed the stumps, allowing him to complete his hundred.
A Crucial Knock Amid New Zealand’s Early Collapse
The Black Caps had a shaky start, losing three wickets early in the innings. Two key batters, Devon Conway and Kane Williamson, were dismissed in the span of just five deliveries. Despite the pressure, Young held his ground and played a stabilizing role for his team.
Interestingly, Young might not have even been in the playing XI if Rachin Ravindra had been fit. However, with Ravindra sidelined due to an injury sustained in the tri-nation series, Young made the most of his opportunity with a match-defining knock.
Pakistan Hosts ICC Tournament After 29 Years
The 2025 Champions Trophy marks Pakistan’s return as a host for a major ICC event after 29 years. The last time the country hosted an ICC tournament was the 1996 Cricket World Cup, which was co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan, the defending Champions Trophy winner, had last lifted the title in 2017, when they defeated arch-rivals India in the final. In this tournament opener, Pakistan won the toss and chose to field first, hoping to capitalize on the home advantage.
New Zealand’s Form and Injury Concerns
New Zealand entered the tournament in great form, having recently won the tri-nation series against Pakistan and South Africa. Their familiarity with the conditions at the Karachi National Stadium was expected to be a key factor in their performance.
Despite missing key fast bowlers Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears due to injuries, New Zealand’s squad looked well-balanced. Their top-order batters had been in good touch, and the spin attack, led by Mitchell Santner, had been effective in controlling the middle overs.
Meanwhile, Pakistan received a boost with the return of Haris Rauf, who passed a fitness test after missing the last two matches of the tri-nation series due to a side strain. He replaced all-rounder Faheem Ashraf in the playing XI.
New Zealand has historically dominated Pakistan in the Champions Trophy, winning all three of their previous encounters in 2000, 2006, and 2009. With Young’s century setting the tone, the Black Caps aimed to extend their winning streak against Pakistan in the tournament.