NEW DELHI: New Zealand defeated Bangladesh by five wickets in a thrilling Champions Trophy match on February 24, 2025, securing their place in the semi-finals. The match, held at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, saw standout performances from Rachin Ravindra, Tom Latham, and Michael Bracewell.
Bangladesh, batting first, posted a total of 236/9 in their 50 overs. Najmul Hossain Shanto led the charge with a resilient 77 off 110 balls, supported by Jaker Aliโs 45 runs. However, the rest of the batting lineup struggled against New Zealandโs disciplined bowling attack. Michael Bracewell was the star with the ball, taking 4 wickets for just 26 runs in his 10 overs.
ALSO READ: IND vs PAK : Kohliโs ton seals Indiaโs victory over Pakistan in CT
Michael Bracewellโs exceptional bowling performance was instrumental in restricting Bangladesh to a modest total. His ability to vary pace and maintain accuracy troubled the Bangladeshi batsmen throughout their innings.
Chasing 237, New Zealand had a shaky start, losing Will Young and Kane Williamson early. However, Rachin Ravindraโs brilliant century (112 off 105 balls) anchored the innings. He was well-supported by Tom Latham, who scored a crucial 55 runs. Their partnership of 129 runs for the fourth wicket was pivotal in guiding New Zealand to victory.
ALSO READ: Inglis leads Australia to record breaking win over England in CT 2025
New Zealandโs victory was a testament to their balanced team performance. Ravindraโs century showcased his ability to handle pressure and anchor the innings, while Bracewellโs bowling highlighted the depth of New Zealandโs bowling attack. Bangladesh, on the other hand, struggled to build partnerships and capitalize on their starts, ultimately falling short of a competitive total.
With this win, New Zealand topped Group A with four points and a net run rate of +0.860, securing their semi-final spot alongside India. Bangladesh and Pakistan were eliminated from the tournament. New Zealandโs next match is against India on March 2, 2025, in Dubai, which will determine the top position in Group A.
