New Zealand dominate Bangladesh to secure Champions Trophy semifinal spot alongside India
RAWALPINDI: Rachin Ravindra’s explosive century, combined with Michael Bracewell’s brilliant four-wicket haul, propelled New Zealand to a commanding five-wicket win over Bangladesh, securing their place in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 semi-finals alongside India.
Chasing a modest target of 237, the Blackcaps comfortably crossed the finish line with five wickets in hand and 23 balls to spare, thanks to a crucial fourth-wicket stand between centurion Ravindra and the in-form Tom Latham.
However, New Zealand’s pursuit got off to a shaky start, losing in-form Will Young (0) and veteran Kane Williamson (5) within the first four overs, with just 15 runs on the board.
Recovering from the early blows, Ravindra joined Devon Conway at the crease, stabilizing the innings with a 57-run stand for the third wicket. But just as the partnership was building, Mustafizur Rahman struck in the 16th over to dismiss Conway for 30 off 45 deliveries, which included six boundaries.
Ravindra then found a reliable partner in Latham, and together they put New Zealand firmly in control with a 129-run partnership.
Ravindra’s fine innings came to an end in the 39th over when he fell to Rishad Hossain after top-scoring with a magnificent 112 off 105 balls, featuring 12 fours and a six.
Latham followed him back in the 42nd over after scoring a solid 55 off 76 balls, including three boundaries.
Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell then guided New Zealand to victory without further setbacks, with Phillips remaining unbeaten on 21 off 28 deliveries and Bracewell contributing 11 off 13.
For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman, and Rishad Hossain claimed one wicket each.
New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner’s decision to bowl first paid off, as his bowlers delivered a disciplined performance to restrict Bangladesh to a manageable total.
Bangladesh started steadily, with openers Najmul Hossain Shanto and Tanzid Hasan laying a decent platform with a 45-run stand before the latter was dismissed in the ninth over.
However, the innings quickly lost momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals, leaving Bangladesh struggling at 118/5 in 26.1 overs, with Shanto fighting to hold the innings together.
The captain finally found some support in middle-order batter Jaker Ali, who had played a gutsy century in Bangladesh’s campaign opener against India in Dubai.
Shanto and Jaker stitched together a crucial 45-run partnership for the sixth wicket before Shanto was dismissed by Will O’Rourke in the 38th over.
Shanto was the top scorer for Bangladesh, crafting a gritty 77 off 110 balls, laced with nine boundaries.
Jaker carried Bangladesh’s innings deep, staying at the crease until the penultimate over and contributing 45 off 55 balls, including three fours and a six.
He was also involved in a useful 33-run stand with Rishad Hossain, who chipped in with a 25-ball 26.
Lower-order batter Taskin Ahmed added 10 runs off 20 deliveries, providing some late resistance.
Bracewell was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand, returning with outstanding figures of 4/26 in his 10 overs. O’Rourke claimed two wickets, while Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson chipped in with one each.
