WATCH: Kane Williamson relives Pakistan rivalry ahead of Champions Trophy opener
“Always a great atmosphere playing against Pakistan, and I’m sure that’ll be the same," says Kiwi batter
February 18, 2025
As the cricketing world gears up for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, New Zealand star batter Kane Williamson shared his fond memories of playing against Pakistan in an Instagram post.
The ICC posted a video featuring Williamson reflecting on one of his most memorable moments against Pakistan — a spectacular catch to dismiss Abdullah Shafique in the 2023 World Cup.
Looking back at the moment, Williamson said, “In the moment, you’re just trying to focus on what’s important, where you need to be and try to get there as quickly as possible and keep your head nice and still and hope that it goes in — and on that occasion, it did.”
The clip featured Williamson watching his incredible diving catch from the New Zealand vs Pakistan clash at Bengaluru during the 2023 World Cup. Running back, the Kiwi top order batter pulled off one of the catches of the tournament to send Shafique back to the pavilion.
“It was nice to be back on the field. A finger injury felt insignificant compared to the knee injury, which took six months to recover from. Taking that catch, I kind of dug into the ground,” he said.
Reflecting on that game, Williamson noted how rain played a decisive role, with Pakistan pulling off a stunning victory via the DLS method.
“An incredible game that actually. Rain-affected, and we ended up getting 400, and then the shortened match, Pakistan chased it down,” he reminisced.
In that high-stakes World Cup encounter, New Zealand posted a mammoth 401 for 6, with Rachin Ravindra (105) and Williamson (95) leading the charge. Pakistan, in response, rode on a blistering 126 off 81 balls by Fakhar Zaman to remain ahead of the DLS target, securing a 21-run victory that kept their World Cup hopes alive.
The last meeting between the two sides was in the Tri-Nation Series final in Karachi on February 14, where New Zealand secured a five-wicket victory. Will O’Rourke’s four-wicket haul and half-centuries from Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham led the Blackcaps to a comfortable chase of 243 with 28 balls to spare.
Looking to the future Williamson said: “Always a great atmosphere playing against Pakistan, and I’m sure that’ll be the same, certainly with them playing at home.”
Pakistan and New Zealand will once again face off in the opening match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on February 19 in Karachi. The much-anticipated encounter will take place at the National Bank Cricket Stadium, following a short opening ceremony to mark the start of the tournament.
