New Zealand's innings was anchored by impressive centuries from Tom Latham and Will Young. Despite an early setback with the loss of three quick wickets, the duo stabilized the innings with a 118-run partnership. Latham remained unbeaten on 118, showcasing a wide range of shots, while Young contributed a solid 107. Glenn Phillips added a quickfire 61 off 39 balls, helping New Zealand post a formidable total of 320 for 5 in their allotted 50 overs. The New Zealand batsmen capitalized on the conditions, with Latham and Young's efforts marking their debut hundreds in the Champions Trophy [1] [2].

Pakistan's chase of 321 runs got off to a rocky start, with the team scoring only 22 runs for the loss of two wickets in the first ten overs, their lowest powerplay score in a home ODI since 2002. Despite efforts from Babar Azam, who scored 64 off 90 balls, and Khushdil Shah's quick 69 off 49 balls, Pakistan could not keep up with the required run rate. Fakhar Zaman's injury further hampered their chances as he struggled to contribute effectively. The New Zealand bowlers, particularly William O'Rourke and Mitchell Santner, were instrumental in keeping Pakistan at bay, each taking three wickets [3] [4].

This victory sets a positive tone for New Zealand as they begin their campaign in the Champions Trophy. The win also extends New Zealand's unbeaten record against Pakistan in the tournament to 4-0. For Pakistan, the loss is a setback in their bid to advance to the semi-finals, especially in a short tournament format where each match carries significant weight. The team will need to regroup quickly as they face arch-rivals India in their next game. The performance of New Zealand's spinners and the depth in their batting lineup underscore their status as strong contenders for the title [5].