Will Young was not initially expected to participate if Rachin Ravindra had been fully fit. Ravindra, who sustained a facial injury while attempting to catch a ball during a tri-series match earlier this month, is anticipated to be ready for New Zealand's upcoming group match against India, scheduled in 11 days. However, it would be exceedingly challenging, if not impossible, for the New Zealand management to exclude Young from the lineup, as he achieved the first century of the 2025 Champions Trophy in the tournament's opening match against the host nation, Pakistan, at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday.

This marked Young's fourth century in One Day Internationals and his first achievement outside of New Zealand. In doing so, he became only the fourth New Zealand player, following Chris Cairns, Nathan Astle, and Kane Williamson, to score a century in a Champions Trophy match. As Young raised his bat to acknowledge the applause from the audience and his teammates, Rachin Ravindra was observed giving a standing ovation, beaming with pride.

A few overs later, Tom Latham joined Young in the scoring frenzy. He became the fifth New Zealand player to register a century in the Champions Trophy, contributing to New Zealand becoming only the fifth team to have multiple centurions in a single innings of a Champions Trophy match. The first instance of this was achieved by India's Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag during the 2002 Champions Trophy.

The partnership between Latham and Young propelled New Zealand to a total of 320 runs for the loss of five wickets. This achievement marked only the third occasion on which New Zealand surpassed the 300-run mark in a Champions Trophy match.

NZ batters with hundreds in Champions Trophy

145* - Nathan Astle vs USA, The Oval, 2004

102* - Chris Cairns vs IND, Nairobi, 2000 Final

100 - Kane Williamson vs AUS, Edgbaston, 2017

107* - Will Young vs PAK, Karachi, 2025

Multiple hundreds in a team innings in the Champions Trophy

Virender Sehwag (126) & Sourav Ganguly (117*) vs ENG, Colombo (RPS), 2002

Chris Gayle (101) & Dwayne Bravo (112*) vs ENG, Ahmedabad, 2006

Shane Watson (136*) & Ricky Ponting (111*) vs ENG, Centurion, 2009 SF

Shakib Al Hasan (114) & Mahmudullah (102*) vs NZ, Cardiff, 2017

Will Young (107) & Tom Latham (100*) vs PAK, Karachi, 2025

The Young and Latham show

Young experienced a brief moment of hesitation at the entrance, but he successfully navigated four dot balls while on 99. He then executed a sweep off Abrar Ahmed, securing three runs to reach his century in 107 balls.

During the remarkable 3-0 Test series victory over India, Young demonstrated his proficiency in subcontinental conditions, and on Wednesday, he proved that his skills extend beyond a single format. After a promising start against Pakistani bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, New Zealand faced setbacks when Naseem dismissed both Devon Conway and Kane Williamson in the same over.

Young took a measured approach to stabilize the New Zealand innings, forming a brief yet crucial partnership with Daryl Mitchell. Following Mitchell's dismissal for 10 runs, Young was joined by Tom Latham. At that point, New Zealand was struggling at 73/3 and urgently required a partnership.

Young and Latham successfully established that partnership, exhibiting patience as they navigated through quieter overs reminiscent of traditional ODI play. The lack of a strong fifth-bowling option allowed them to avoid pressure from both ends.

Young, as the more aggressive partner, reached his century in the 35th over. However, just as he appeared ready to accelerate, he was dismissed for 107 while attempting to hit a six off Naseem Shah. His innings concluded at 107 runs from 113 balls, featuring 12 fours and a six.

Following Young's century, the partnership with Latham came to an end, but New Zealand quickly formed another significant alliance between Latham and Glenn Phillips. Similar to Young and Latham, Phillips took his time before unleashing his attacking play. A pivotal moment occurred in the 43rd over when Latham swept Abrar Ahmed for two fours and a six.

The left-handed batsman then struck another boundary off Shaheen Shah Afridi to reach 99, before taking a single to complete an impressive century.

In the final 10 overs, New Zealand amassed over 113 runs.

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