Champions Trophy 2025: Will Young Slams Hundred During Pakistan vs New Zealand Tournament Opener In Karachi

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Champions Trophy 2025: New Zealand's Will Young kick-started the 2025 edition of the Champions Trophy in some style after registering a well-knitted hundred against hosts and defending champions Pakistan in match 1 of the Group A fixture on Wednesday, February 19 at the National Stadium in Karachi.

He got to the 3-digit figure in 107 balls and smashed 11 boundaries and a solitary six during the course of the innings. This was his first-ever century away from New Zealand and the 4th Kiwi to score a hundred in Champions Trophy history.

This was Young's 4th ton in ODI cricket and has a staggering average of almost 60 in the 50-over game.

Earlier putting into bat first by Pakistan, the hosts lost star player Fakhar Zaman due to a supposed knee injury he suffered while stopping a ball from going down to the fence for a boundary. He was replaced by Kamran Ghulam just two balls into the game.

It was Young, who played the role of the lone battle as top-order batters Devon Conway (10), Kane Williamson (1) failed to make a mark in the game. Daryl Mitchell's time at the crease was also short-lived as he managed to score just 10 runs.

On his way to his hundred, Young and Tom Latham came up with a huge 100+ partnership to steer the innings and keep them very much in hunt for a 300+ score.

As far as the Pakistan bowlers are concerned, the likes of Haris Rauf, who is returning from an injury picked a wicket, while Naseem Shah and Abrah Ahmed have also scalped a wicket each.

At the time of writing this article, New Zealand are currently batting at 183/3 after 36 overs of play. Latham on the other hand has also completed his half-century.

PAK vs NZ Playing XI

New Zealand (Playing XI): Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner(c), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, William O'Rourke.

Pakistan (Playing XI): Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w/c), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed