lucky time Pakistan Vs New Zealand, Champions Trophy: Will Young Becomes 2025 Edition's First Centurion

New Zealand's Will Young celebrates after scoring century during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Karachi, Pakistan Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. AP Photo/Anjum Naveed New Zealand's Will Young celebrates after scoring century during the ICC Champions Trophy cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Karachi, Pakistan Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025. AP Photo/Anjum Naveed

New Zealand opener Will Young became the first centurion of the 2025 Champions Trophy as he reached his hundred in 107 balls against Pakistan in the tournament opener in Karachi. (Live Blog | More Cricket News)

The 32-year-old made scoring look easy on a tricky surface at Karachi's National Stadium and played a well composed innings to keep New Zealand in the game despite early wickets.

New Zealand, after being put into bat first, lost opener Devon Conway and former skipper Kane Williamson cheaply in the first powerplay. Daryl Mitchell too could not do much as he departed in the 17th over leaving the Kiwis at 73/3.

After the first two legs of the ongoing FIH Pro League,ph143 which were played in Odisha's Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, the Indian men's hockey team is currently third on the points table with 15 points from eight games.

"Undoubtedly, we are focused on the Olympics but we also need to give our best to finish as champions (in Pro League) and secure direct qualification for the 2026 Hockey World Cup as well," said Harmanpreet, whose team is currently placed third with 15 points from eight Pro League games.

Young was then joined by Tom Latham and the duo stitched a century partnership to steer the Kiwis out of trouble.

Young, playing his 41st ODI, departed soon after completing his fourth century in the format. He was dismissed for 107 off 113 balls in the 38th over and became Naseem Shah's second victim of the game. The right-hander hit 12 fours and a six off Haris Rauf in his innings.

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Incidentally, the last time Pakistan had hosted an ICC event, a New Zealand batter had even then scored a century in the tournament opener. Nathan Astle had hit a match-winning hundred while opening the innings in the opening match of the 1996 Cricket World Cup which was co-hosted by India and Pakistan.

Young also became just the fourth New Zealand batter to score a ton in the Champions Trophy.

At the time of his dismissallucky time, New Zealand were closing in on 200 with a set Latham joined by an explosive Glenn Phillips.