The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy witnessed its first wicket, and it was Pakistan’s ace spinner Abrar Ahmed who gave the early breakthrough. The highly anticipated tournament opener between Pakistan and New Zealand commenced at the National Cricket Stadium in Karachi on February 19, paving the way for an intriguing encounter between two competitive teams.
Deciding to bowl first when they won the toss, Pakistan sought to cut short New Zealand early on, and Abrar Ahmed achieved the same by knocking over the visitor’s opener Devon Conway in the eighth over of the match. The ball was a beautifully done carrom that came on to a good length, bearing in on the stumps.
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Devon Conway, expecting a bit of turn, stayed on the back foot while playing defensively. But the ball completely fooled him—it did not turn as it usually would but straightened just sufficiently after pitching, thudding into the off-stump. The Kiwi batsman, who had not been able to get going, was left shaken as his scrappy stay in the middle ended at a mere 10 runs off 17 balls.
Abrar strikes! ☝
The first wicket of #ChampionsTrophy 2025 & it’s Devon Conway who departs!
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— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 19, 2025
Providing a further dose of drama to the moment was Abrar Ahmed’s effervescent response. The Pakistani spinner, renowned for his brashness and showmanship, could not help but taunt Conway following the dismissal. He mimicked a gesture as if to suggest that the New Zealand batter had gotten the delivery hopelessly wrong, producing an early controversy in the tournament.
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New Zealand is in early trouble, at 48 for 2 in 10 overs, when the article is written. Daryl Mitchell and Will Young are at the wickets, attempting to steady the innings after these early losses. With the Karachi pitch providing some support to the spinners, Pakistan will want to capitalize on this good start and further seal their grip on the match.
