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Kane Williamson and Naseem Shah Photograph: (X)
Former New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson achieved an unwanted milestone in the first match of Champions Trophy 2025. The 34-year-old was out for just one run as he nicked behind to Mohammad Rizwan to give Naseem Shah his first wicket. This was the first time that Kane Williamson had fallen for a single digit score in over 2000 days.
The last time Kane Williamson was out for single digit score was against Pakistan during an ODI match in Abu Dhabi. The Kiwi batter was run-out for just one run from three balls in November 2018. It was a huge moment in the game for Pakistan who had hoped to dismiss a batter with the class of Williamson early.
Earlier in the day, Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and chose to field first. Opening batter Fakhar Zaman walked off the field after just the second ball of the match. The injury occurred when Zaman tried to stop a boundary and immediately felt some damage.
Pakistan bowlers exert early pressure on Kiwi batters
Devon Conway and Will Young gave New Zealand decent start with the bat as the pair added 39 runs for the first wicket. Abrar Ahmed was drafted into the attack early and the leg-spinner responded with the wicket of Conway who was bowled for 10 runs. Naseem Shah then got into the act with the wicket of Williamson for just one run.
Daryl Mitchell and Will Young then added 33 runs for the third wicket in 49 balls. Young was the aggressor as he took the attack to the Pakistani bowlers. The batter welcomed Haris Rauf with a huge six in the very first ball of his spell that went way into the crowd. Against the run of play New Zealand lost the wicket of Mitchell for 10.
Haris Rauf bowled a short ball that Mitchell wanted to smash but didn’t time the ball well. Shaheen Afridi then took an easy catch to give Pakistan the much needed wicket as the fans found their voice once more. Will Young then brought up his 11th ODI fifty with a single off Haris Rauf in the final ball of the 17th over to keep his team in the hunt for a good total.