Bangladesh, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, faced New Zealand on February 24, 2025, at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, marking their six ICC Champions Trophy match. The encounter was pivotal for Bangladesh, who needed to win to keep their hopes for the semi-finals alive after suffering defeat at the hands of India. New Zealand, meanwhile, had already secured their place alongside India with their earlier win against Pakistan and aimed to clinch another victory.
The match commenced with New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner winning the toss and opting to bowl first, citing good wicket conditions and potential dew as factors for the decision. Santner stated, "We'll bowl first, looks like a good wicket. We trained a lot on different grounds, but there might be some dew." His team featured two key players returning from injury, Rachin Ravindra and Kyle Jamieson, enhancing their bowling attack.
Bangladesh also made two changes to their lineup, welcoming back seasoned all-rounder Mahmudullah along with Nahid Rana. Shanto expressed optimism, saying, "Would have liked to bowl as well. Two changes for us - Mahmudullah is back for us. Nahid Rana is also back. The way we fought back against India after the collapse gives us a lot of confidence." Their revised playing XI showed promise, with Mahmudullah expected to bolster their batting order considerably.
The pressure was palpable as Bangladesh entered the game, needing victory to avoid early elimination from the tournament, with their earlier performance leaving much to be desired. After being overcome by India’s dominance, their top-order batting had shown struggles, particularly from players like Tanzid Hasan and Soumya Sarkar. Towhid Hridoy, who made notable contributions, had shown resilience, highlighting the need for consistent top-order performance.
New Zealand, on the other hand, commanded confidence following their convincing victory over Pakistan. With formidable players like Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, and Tom Latham, who had previously excelled against Bangladesh, they appeared as slight favorites going on paper. Historically, New Zealand held the upper hand against Bangladesh, winning 33 out of 45 encounters, showcasing their strength and familiarity with high-stakes matches.
Conditions at Rawalpindi favored batting, with past results indicating it as a high-scoring venue. This match's stakes were particularly high not just for Bangladesh’s aspirations but also for Pakistan’s chances of remaining competitive. If Bangladesh could upset New Zealand, it would compound Pakistan's difficulties, forcing them to rely on other results for their qualification.
If Bangladesh managed to win, it would open up the race for semi-final spots, making future matches particularly interesting. The scene was set for what was expected to be an intense contest, journalist comments indicating the potential for surprises and dramatic shifts within the group dynamics.
Bangladesh's XI was: Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (w), Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, and Mustafizur Rahman. New Zealand’s lineup included Will Young, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Latham (w), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, and William O'Rourke.
Spectators and pundits alike anticipated riveting cricket as these two teams took to the field, with the outcome undoubtedly affecting not only the current standings but the fate of players and nations alike. The champions tussle undeniably brought excitement to the season, establishing the match as more than just another round but rather as a potential turning point for many involved.