New Zealand's National Cricket Team emerged victorious against Bangladesh with a dominant five-wicket win in the sixth match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on February 24, 2025. This victory not only helped New Zealand secure their spot in the semifinals but also marked the end of the tournament for both Bangladesh and Pakistan.
The match began with Bangladesh winning the toss and electing to bat first. The team experienced early trouble, losing their opener, Tanzid Hasan, for just 24 runs, followed by all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz contributing merely 13 runs. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto played valiantly, scoring 77 runs off 110 balls, but Bangladesh struggled to build partnerships, leading them to finish with 236 runs for the loss of nine wickets.
Michael Bracewell starred with the ball for New Zealand, taking four wickets for just 26 runs across ten overs. His exceptional bowling, coupled with Will O’Rourke’s two wickets, placed Bangladesh on the back foot, allowing New Zealand to exert control early on.
When it came time for New Zealand to chase, they faced significant challenges as they lost two early wickets, including star captain Kane Williamson. The pressure was palpable, but Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra steadied the ship, forming an integral partnership. Ravindra, playing with finesse and confidence, completed his century off just 95 deliveries, registering 112 runs before his dismissal. Tom Latham also contributed significantly with his solid 55 runs, helping to push New Zealand over the line.
The Kiwi side comfortably chased down the target, finishing their innings at 237 runs with five wickets remaining and just over three overs to spare, concluding the game at 46.1 overs. This emphatic chase allowed New Zealand to continue their Champions Trophy campaign with strong momentum.
Mitchell Santner, New Zealand's captain, praised Bracewell's bowling prowess post-match and highlighted Ravindra's contribution, noting, "Rachin loves ICC events. It seemed like he never left the game. He wasn't as fluid as he'd have liked but when he gets going he's tough to stop." Santner recognized the challenges posed by Bangladesh, stating, "The way we pulled things back with the ball was amazing. Hard to take middle-overs wickets in ODIs, and Bracewell was amazing. He's a quality bowler now."
The aftermath of this match left Bangladesh and host nation Pakistan eliminated from the tournament, effectively sealing New Zealand and India’s paths to the semifinals. New Zealand's qualification was well-deserved, anchoring their title aspirations as they look forward to their clash with India, which Santner remarked would be "a different challenge on a different surface," hinting at the contrasting playing conditions.
Looking to the semifinals, New Zealand aims to build on this victory, learning from the strengths exhibited against Bangladesh and addressing any weaknesses before facing the formidable Indian side. The semi-final encounters are scheduled for March 4 for India and the following day for New Zealand, marking pivotal moments for both teams as they pursue the championship title.