New Zealand defeat hosts Pakistan convincingly in ICC Champions Trophy opener

Centuries from Tom Latham and Will Young propelled New Zealand to a dominant 60-run victory over hosts Pakistan in the opening match of the Champions Trophy.

Put in to bat at Karachi, the Black Caps were initially rocked by the loss of three early wickets but recovered brilliantly with a well-paced innings to finish at 320-5.

Young, who was only playing due to Rachin Ravindra's injury, laid the foundation with a fine 107-ball century, forming a crucial 118-run partnership with Latham for the fourth wicket.

Test captain Latham followed suit, reaching his century off 95 balls. He then combined with Glenn Phillips (61 off 39 balls) for a 125-run stand, before finishing unbeaten on 118 from 104 balls.

Pakistan's response never really gained momentum until it was too late.

After a sluggish start, Phillips pulled off a sensational one-handed catch at backward point to dismiss Muhammad Rizwan, leaving Pakistan struggling at 22-2 at the end of the powerplay.

With the required run rate soaring above 10 an over, Salman Ali Agha showed some intent with a quickfire 42 off 28 balls, but his dismissal marked the beginning of New Zealand's control once again.

Babar Azam, who had been largely subdued earlier, briefly attempted to accelerate, but he was dismissed by Mitchell Santner for 64. Khushdil Shah injected some hope with a counterattacking 69 off 49 balls before falling to Will O'Rourke, who finished with 3-47.

Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 260 in 48 overs, falling short of the target.

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