Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed became the first wicket-taker of the Champions Trophy 2025 as he clean bowled New Zealand batter Devon Conway with a sensational googly. The opening match of the Champions Trophy between Pakistan and New Zealand is being played at the National Stadium in Karachi.
The wicket came on the third ball of the eight over when Abrar pushed a good length ball to Conway. The Kiwi batter tried to play it with the turn, but the ball spun the other way and hit the top of off-stump. Have a look at the wicket below:
Conway managed just 10 runs off 17 balls before being dismissed but had added 39 runs for the first wicket with Will Young.
Champions Trophy Gets Underway
Earlier, Pakistan skipper Muhammad Rizwan won the toss and elected to bowl first in the opening match of the ICC tournament. New Zealand were doing good till Abrar struck. Pacer Naseem Shah took advantage of the opening and sent back Kane Williamson, caught behind off a peach.
New Zealand started rebuilding after losing two wickets in space of five balls. Young and Daryl Mitchell had added 33 runs for the third wicket and looked to add more before Haris Rauf sent back Mitchell.
Young and Tom Latham then took New Zealand past 100 in the 23rd over, with Young reaching his 50 as well. Both the players completed their respective hundreds too.
While Young scored 10, Latham managed 118 not out. Towards the end, Glen Phillips also played a fast hand of 61 off 39 balls as New Zealand added more than 100 runs in the last 10 overs.
The Kiwis finished eventually finished with 320/5 in their 50 overs. For Pakistan, Naseem and Haris Rauf took two wickets each.