Pakistan record worst batting performance in Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand

The hosts, Pakistan, registered their worst-ever record for batting sluggishly against New Zealand in the Champions Trophy opener at the Karachi Stadium on Wednesday.

None of the Green Shirts' batters managed to offer resistance with the exception of Khushdil Shah and vice-captain Salman Ali Agha.

Pakistan’s top order struggled, with captain Babar Azam facing 52 dot balls. Fakhar Zaman consumed 30 balls without scoring any runs, and Saud Shakeel faced 15 dot balls. Captain Rizwan played 11 dot balls, contributing to a total of 162 dot balls from the 284 total balls faced by Pakistan.

New Zealand capitalised on Pakistan’s poor batting performance, defeating the hosts by 60 runs, effectively spoiling Pakistan's historic moment of hosting the Champions Trophy.