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Champions Trophy: Pak vs NZ: Pak Finally Gets Past 100 in 27 Overs, Babar Azam Struggles as Asking Rate Climbs Over 9

Pakistan Three Down, Chasing 321 Against Disciplined New Zealand Bowling

February 19, 2025: Karachi: Pakistan’s chase of 321 runs against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025 opener is faltering, with Babar Azam playing a slow knock and the required run rate surging past 9.7 runs per over.

Also Read: Champions Trophy: Pak vs N Zealand: NZ Scores 320 For 5; Young, Latham Hit Centuries, Glenn Gets Half Century

New Zealand’s bowlers have kept things tight, with William O’Rourke (2 wickets) and Michael Bracewell (1 wicket) leading the attack. Pakistan is 121/3 after 29 overs, needing 228 runs from 141 balls.

Live Score Update (29 Overs):

🏏 Pakistan – 121/3 (Target: 321)
🔥 Babar Azam – 48 (78)
🏏 Salman Agha – 39* (23)
🎯 New Zealand Bowling:
⚡ Glenn Phillips – 0/30 (5.3)
⚡ Mitchell Santner – 0/22 (4.2)

Key Moments So Far:

✅ Pakistan’s Slow Progress: At the halfway mark (25 overs), Pakistan needed 238 runs at a required run rate of 9.52, a steep challenge. (PAK 83/3, 25 overs)
✅ Zaman Dismissed for 24: Playing through injury, Fakhar Zaman struggled before getting bowled by Michael Bracewell attempting a slog-sweep. (PAK 69/3, 20.5 overs)
✅ Missed Chance for NZ: Devon Conway dropped Fakhar Zaman in the 19th over after diving forward from deep mid-wicket. (PAK 66/2, 19.4 overs)
✅ Rare Boundary for Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman’s slog-sweep off Bracewell brought Pakistan’s first boundary in 17 balls. (PAK 66/2, 19.2 overs)

What’s Next?

With Babar Azam still at the crease, Pakistan has a slim chance, but they need an aggressive acceleration. Can Babar shift gears, or will New Zealand tighten their grip on the match?

📅 Stay tuned for more updates from the Pakistan vs New Zealand Champions Trophy 2025 opener!