Brutal format: Why Pakistan must win against India to stay alive in Champions Trophy?
20 Feb 2025 6:16 AM
A poor performance from the home team left a packed 29,300 crowd disappointed as Pakistan were dismissed for 260 in 47.2 overs in reply to New Zealand's 320-5 in Champions Trophy opener
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 Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
New Zealand rode on brilliant hundreds from Tom Latham and Will Young to beat Pakistan by 60 runs in the Champions Trophy opener on Wednesday, spoiling the country's historic return to hosting global events after three decades.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari joined thousands of fans at the National Stadium in Karachi as the country hosted its first ICC event since the 1996 World Cup.
But a poor performance from the home team left a packed 29,300 crowd disappointed as Pakistan were dismissed for 260 in 47.2 overs in reply to New Zealand's 320-5 in 50 overs.
Pakistan were never in the chase despite Khushdil Shah top-scoring with a fiery 49-ball 69, including 10 boundaries and a six, while Babar Azam scored a more sedate 64 from 90 balls that had a six and six boundaries.
Salman Agha cracked a rapid 42 spiced with a six and six boundaries but none could go on and match Latham and Young's knocks.
Fast bowler Will O'Rourke finished with 3-47 while skipper Mitchell Santner took 3-66 as New Zealand made it three wins in as many matches against the hosts following their two tri-series wins last week.
Tough road ahead for Pakistan:
With the debacle in the opening match, Pakistan had to really sweat it out to stay alive in the competition owing to the brutal format of the 50-over tournament.
All eight competing teams are divided into 2 groups -- A and B, where each team plays three matches. Pakistan is placed in Group A alongside India, New Zealand and Bangladesh.
Top two teams from each group will advance into the next round.
With a big margin loss Pakistan's Net Run Rate (NRR), a crucial aspect in determining the team's performance had gone into negatives. Currently, the Men in Green are placed at the bottom of the table in Group A standings with an NRR of -1.2.
The next two games of Pakistan one each against India and Bangladesh are crucial.
If India wins against Bangladesh in their opener (Thursday) and emerges victorious in their face-off against Pakistan on February 23, and New Zealand manages to secure one win in their remaining two games (India & Bangladesh) then Pakistan will be out of the marquee ICC event.
But if a scenario emerges where, Pakistan wins against India and Bangladesh, New Zealand wins against Bangladesh and India wins against Bangladesh and New Zealand.
Then three teams in Group A will have 6 points each and what matters is the NRR, which the hosts have already crippled.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle with agency inputs )
Next Story