New Zealand won their second group game of the Champions Trophy against Bangladesh by 5 wickets. With this victory, the Blackcaps have not only secured a spot in the semifinals for themselves but have also assured India of a berth, as the other two teams in Group A, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, can not reach the points total of either India or New Zealand under any circumstances.
The match between New Zealand and Bangladesh took place in Rawalpindi where Kiwi captain Santner won the toss and decided to bowl first, considering the dew factor in the second innings. Invited to bat in the sunny afternoon of Rawalpindi, captain Shanto alongside his opening partner Tanzid Hasan gave Bangladesh a decent start.
The pair added 45 runs in 8.2 overs but Mehidy, who came to the crease after Tanzid’s dismissal failed to form a partnership with the skipper and left Bangladesh fuming with the scorecard of 2/64 in 12 overs.
The hero of Bangladesh’s batting lineup in the last match Towhid Hridoy was sent back to the pavilion by Bracewell on an individual score of 7; veteran batters Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah also got out in quick succession leading to a mini-collapse. When Mahmudullah was caught on short third-man by O’Rourke on the delivery of Bracewell, the score of Bangladesh was 5/118 in 26.1 overs.
Thanks to Captain Santo’s patient knock of 77 off 100 and some crucial cameos of Jaker Ali (45 off 55) and Rishad Hossain (26 off 25) down the order, Bangladesh managed to post a decent total of 236/9 in 50 overs.
With a target of 237, the Kiwi opening pair of Will Young and Devon Conway came to the crease but didn’t add a run together as Will Young was bowled by Taskin Ahmed in the first over of New Zealand’s inning. Soon, star batter of New Zealand Kane Williamson was also dismissed by Bangladesh pacers leaving New Zealand struggling with a score of 15/2 in 3.3 overs.
On the 4th delivery of the 16th over, Mustafizur Rahman bowled Conway and sent New Zealand into a shell for some time with a score of 72/3. From there onwards, Rachin Ravindra and Tom Lathem put up a 129-run stand for the fourth wicket to seal the victory for New Zealand. It was 201/4 in 38.2 overs when Rachin went back to the New Zealand dressing room.
Rachin, who played a match-winning knock of 112 off 105 balls won the match for New Zealand with the support of Tom Lathem, who scored 55 runs off 76 balls. Lathem got out of the team total of 214 and was the last Kiwi batter to get out in this match. New Zealand completed the formalities in 46.1 overs with five wickets in hand.
With this win, New Zealand has qualified from Group A, and now their next challenge is up against India on March 2 which will be a battle to top the Group.
Scorecard: Bangladesh vs New Zealand, 6th Match, Group A at Rawalpindi, Champions Trophy 2025
NZ Won by 5 Wickets
Bangladesh Innings
Najmul Hossain Shanto– 77 (110)
Jakir Ali– 45 (55)
Rishad Hossain– 26 (25)
Micheal Bracewell– 4/26 (10 overs)
Will O’Rourke– 2/48 (10 overs)
Kyle Jamieson– 1/48 (9 overs)
New Zealand Innings
Rachin Ravindra– 112 (105)
Tom Lathem– 55 (76)
Devon Conway– 30 (45)
Taskin Ahmed– 1/28 (7 overs)
Mustafizur Rahman– 1/42 (10 overs)
Nahid Rana– 1/43 (9 overs)
