BAN vs NZ Review: New Zealand secures semi-final spot, eliminating Bangladesh and Pakistan
New Zealand claimed victory over Bangladesh by a five-wicket margin in Match 6 of the Champions Trophy 2025 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday, February 24 to claim a semi-final berth and knock out hosts Pakistan.
After being put into bat, Bangladesh was off to quite a positive start. Tanzid Hasan departed for a run-a-ball 24, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz getting dismissed shortly after. The middle-order – Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah – departed for single-digit scores. However, skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (77) stood his ground, stroking his way to his 10th half-century.
Jaker Ali missed out on a consecutive fifty (45), as he was dismissed in the penultimate over of the game. Bangladesh ended up with 236/9 on the board. This included a whopping 22 runs coming through wides. Michael Bracewell was the pick of the bowlers for the Kiwis, registering career-best figures of 4/26 in his 10-over quota.
Coming to the run-chase, Bangladesh was off to a flyer with Will Young and Kane Williamson departing quite early. The situation looked quite tense when Devon Conway departed, leaving the Black Caps 72/3. However, southpaws, Rachin Ravindra and Tom Latham forged together a match-altering partnership to guide their side on the cusp of a hard-fought win.
Ravindra, coming back from a recent injury to his forehead, stroked his way to a brilliant ton on Champions Trophy debut (112). Unfortunately, he could not make it till the end. Latham went on to register another significant score (55). As for Bangladesh, no other bowler could take more than one wicket.
Top Performers of the match
Rachin Ravindra (112 off 105)
The southpaw came in with his side in a spot of bother. From that point, he struck together a brilliant partnership with Latham. Ravindra looked in exquisite control during his knock which comprised 12 fours and one six.
Michael Bracewell (4/26 in 10 overs)
The spin-bowling all-rounder was at the forefront of a middle-order collapse for Bangladesh. Clever changes of pace were the primary reason behind his success. This was his second four-fer in ODI cricket.
What’s next for the two sides?
Bangladesh will take on hosts Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Thursday, February 27. As for New Zealand, they will be taking on India on Sunday, March 2, in what will be the final group-stage game of the tournament. Both the games are scheduled to commence at 2:30 pm (IST).
