NZ defeated Pakistan by 60 runs in the Champions Trophy opener.

Pakistan were bowled out for 260 at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday, failing to chase down New Zealand’s 321 mark in the ICC Champions Trophy opener.

New Zealand bowled with discipline, with Will O’Rourke and Mitchell Santner both taking three wickets, after match-winning hundreds from Tom Latham and Devon Conway, who enabled the visitors set Pakistan a target of 320.

Pakistan’s chase got off to a shaky start, with Saud Shakeel, standing in as a substitute opener for Fakhar Zaman, bowled for 6 off 19 balls in the fourth over.

Captain Muhammad Rizwan joined Babar Azam at the crease, but his tenure was brief. Glenn Phillips made a fantastic catch, forcing Rizwan to exit.

Babar Azam was joined by Fakhar Zaman, and they combined for 47 runs, bringing Pakistan’s total to 69.

Fakhar, who had been caught on 24 by Devon Conway at deep square leg, failed to capitalise on the reprieve and was bowled by Michael Bracewell in the very next over while still on 24.

Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha sought to restore Pakistan’s innings by forming a solid 58-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Agha, in particular, took the assault to the New Zealand bowlers, and Babar achieved his fifty.

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner replied by putting in Nathan Smith, who had an immediate impact, removing Agha for 42 off 28 balls, caught by Bracewell.

Pakistan’s woes continued as rookie hitter Tayyab Tahir failed to make an impression, falling to Mitchell Santner for one run.

The biggest blow came when Santner removed Babar Azam for 64 off 90 balls, putting Pakistan’s ambitions more in jeopardy.

Khushdil Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi rallied back for Pakistan, forming a key 47-run partnership to enable the side reach 200 runs. However, Matt Henry removed Afridi for 14, leaving Pakistan 7 down.

Khushdil scored 69 off 49 balls, including ten fours and one magnificent six, but his innings was cut short when he was caught at long-on by Will O’Rourke.

Haris Rauf scored 19 runs off 10 balls, including three massive sixes, but was caught in the deep while attempting to smash a fourth.

Matt Henry ended Pakistan’s innings in the 48th over, jarring Naseem Shah’s stumps and bundling Pakistan out for 260, giving New Zealand a commanding 60-run victory in the tournament opener.

New Zealand’s bowlers delivered a disciplined effort, with Will O’Rourke and Mitchell Santner each taking three wickets, and Matt Henry adding two to help limit Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy opening.