New Zealand solidified its position at the ICC Champions Trophy by defeating Bangladesh by six wickets, securing qualification for the semifinals and irreversibly marking Pakistan's exit from the tournament. The match unfolded on February 24, 2025, at the historic Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, where Bangladesh put up 236 runs for the loss of nine wickets after being put to bat by New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner.
Bangladesh's innings saw significant contributions, particularly from captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, who led the way with 77 runs off 110 deliveries. His innings featured nine boundaries as he anchored the team's effort. Jaker Ali also chipped in with 44 runs across 55 balls, including three fours and one six, providing stability amid the fall of wickets.
Despite their collective effort, Bangladesh's total was deemed below par, especially against New Zealand's potent bowling attack. The Kiwis' bowlers were relentless, spearheaded by Michael Bracewell, who was the standout performer with the ball. Bracewell's exceptional figures—4 wickets for just 26 runs from his 10 overs—allowed New Zealand to apply pressure right from the start, thwarting any potential for Bangladesh to build momentum.
After the break, New Zealand began their innings with confidence. They needed 237 runs to eliminate both Bangladesh and Pakistan from the tournament and started strong with steady contributions from their top order. Will Young (35) and Devon Conway (51) provided New Zealand with solid starts, building a platform for success.
With runs clearly on the board, Rachin Ravindra was also significant, scoring 62 runs, contributing to the overall chase which saw New Zealand ease past the modest target set by Bangladesh. Tom Latham and Kane Williamson supported the momentum, and their contributions ensured New Zealand reached the finish line with time to spare.
The match drew significant interest, especially as it was pivotal not just for New Zealand, aiming for semifinal qualification, but also for Bangladesh and Pakistan. A victory for Bangladesh would have kept their hopes alive, but New Zealand's bowling and batting cohesion decisively curtailed those aspirations.
New Zealand's approach was strategic, reflecting their confidence since arriving for the tournament after winning the tri-nation series against South Africa, which built their momentum. The effective captaincy of Santner was evident, as he read the situation well, especially opting to field first after winning the toss, effectively leveraging the conditions available.
On the opposite side, the Bangladesh team was left to reflect on missed opportunities. Despite their initial success against India, where they almost chased down their target thanks to Towhid Hridoy's remarkable century after being five down for just 35, their inability to adapt more efficiently against the New Zealand bowlers brought their campaign to a disheartening end.
Bangladesh's captain Najmul Hossain Shanto admitted, "A tight finish, but we have to learn from it," indicating the need for growth and learning from the experience as they looked forward to future competitions. New Zealand, on the other hand, expressed satisfaction with their execution, with captain Mitchell Santner stating, "We just executed our plans well," reflecting on the strategy and discipline evident throughout the match.
This match not only determined the fate of the teams involved but also highlighted the rigorous competition at the ICC Champions Trophy, where every match carries substantial weight. With New Zealand now eyeing the semifinals, all attention shifts to their upcoming challenges as they affirm their place among the elite teams of the tournament.