NZ vs BAN: New Zealand secured a vital 5-wicket victory against Bangladesh in Group A of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, qualifying for the semi-finals. The win not only guaranteed their advancement in the tournament but also knocked out both Bangladesh and Pakistan from the race, creating a dramatic twist in the group stage of the tournament.
NZ vs BAN: New Zealand Beats Bangladesh by 5 Wickets
In a game that had important implications for the qualification for the semi-finals, New Zealand easily chased Bangladesh’s score of 236 runs, securing the win in only 47.3 overs.
Bangladesh, after being asked to bat first by New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner, found it difficult to form partnerships and scored a low total. The Kiwis, in response, reached the target with 23 overs remaining, losing 5 wickets in the process.
Rachin Ravindra Dazzles with a Century
The best part of New Zealand’s successful chase was the outstanding batting display by Rachin Ravindra. Playing his first-ever ICC Champions Trophy match, Ravindra smashed an impressive 112 off 105 balls, with 12 boundaries and 1 six. This century is his fourth in ODIs and all four of them have been in ICC events. With this century, Ravindra moved to the top of the list of New Zealand’s most centuries in ICC events, cementing his image as one of the Kiwis’ main players.
The genius knock by Ravindra was the mainstay of New Zealand’s pursuit, and he was ably assisted by Tom Latham, who scored 55 off 76 deliveries. Together, they guided their side easily to the target.
Bangladesh’s Disappointing Batting Performance
Bangladesh’s batting performance, however, was poor. Even though captain Nazmul Hasan Shanto played a courageous innings, the team could not consistently score runs. Shanto scored the highest for Bangladesh with 77 runs from 110 balls, but he had little support. Zaker Ali and Rishad Hussain attempted to stabilize the innings, scoring 45 runs and 26 runs, respectively, but Bangladesh could not put up enough to make a competitive score.
Bangladesh’s team totaled 236/9 in their 50 allotted overs, a total that was never going to be sufficient in light of New Zealand’s batsmen’s current form.
New Zealand’s Bowlers Dominate
New Zealand’s bowling unit was in top gear during the match, and their effort was spearheaded by Michael Bracewell. Bracewell was the star of the show, claiming 4 wickets for only 26 runs from 10 overs of bowling, cutting off Bangladesh’s momentum. He was ably supported by William Oruki, who claimed 2 wickets, while Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson each took a wicket to help destroy the Bangladesh batting order.
The Effect on the Group and Semi-Final Qualification
With this victory, New Zealand not only earned a vital 5 points but also secured their place in the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy. The win essentially eliminated Bangladesh from the tournament and, by extension, dashed Pakistan’s hopes as well. Bangladesh and Pakistan are out of contention now, both of them failing to win any of the matches played in the group stage yet. Bangladesh would face Pakistan for their last game, but this will be only a consolation fixture without any implication on the race to the semis.
India, having achieved two victories out of two, will now look to qualify to play New Zealand in the semi-finals. Already possessing 4 points, India will play its final group encounter with New Zealand on March 2 in Dubai when the winner will claim first place in the group.
Looking Ahead: An Important Game for India and New Zealand
With the group stage coming to an end, all attention will now be on the India vs New Zealand showdown. The game is likely to be an enthralling match, with both sides already qualified for the semi-finals but competing for the leadership of Group A. It will also be a chance for both teams to polish their squads before the knockout rounds.
Bangladesh and Pakistan’s Hard Way Home
The early exit of Bangladesh from the tournament is a great disappointment given their promising potential. The team’s batting disappointed when most required of them, and they will aim to return better next time at ICC events. In the same vein, the Pakistan side’s dream of making it to the semi-finals is also extinguished, leaving them to bemoan a bad campaign.
New Zealand, however, will be thrilled with their dominant display, which not only earned them a spot in the semi-finals but also guaranteed their qualification to the next round with ease. The team will now shift their attention to the knockout stages, where they will look to maintain their good form and pursue the ultimate goal.
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