With the Champions Trophy 2025 edging closer to the semifinals, the top teams are clashing increasingly fiercely, and 50-over cricket fever is on. On Monday, February 24, Bangladesh (BAN) and New Zealand (NZ) faced off in Match 6 of the main event of the ICC.
The Bangla Tigers’ chances of making it to the next round were already in doubt, therefore the game was very crucial for them. In order to guarantee their spot in the semifinals, the dark horses were eager to continue their winning streak in the eight-team competition.
Talking Points
1. Najmul Hossain Shanto, the captain of Bangladesh, took the lead at bat.
Bangladesh began carefully when batting first and looked promising at one point, as the score read 97/3 in the 21st over. They quickly fell to 118/5 after losing control of their batting after that. To keep the team in the game, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto played a strong knock of 77 runs, but the rest of the batting lineup was unable to build on it. Bangladesh was hence able to score a respectable 236 runs.
2. New Zealand’s run chase got off to a bad start.
New Zealand’s response to the run chase got off to a pretty poor start as they lost veteran batsman Kane Williamson and Will Young in the fourth over when the score was only 15/2. To further hurt the run chase, Devon Conway got off to a start before Mustafizur Rahman cleaned him up.
3. Rachin Ravindra led New Zealand to victory with a brilliant century.
Rachin Ravindra, an all-rounder, was New Zealand’s standout batsman, though. Making the most of the available conditions, the gifted southpaw hit a remarkable century (112) and put together a crucial 129-run partnership with Tom Latham for the fourth wicket.
Latham, who was seeking to continue the game for his team after being dismissed, was run out in what might have been a game-ending turn of events. However, New Zealand won the game by five wickets thanks to Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell, who made sure the Kiwis went home.
Who Said What?
Losing skipper, Najmul Hossain Shanto
I thought we started well with the bat but we lost wickets in the middle. On this pitch we didn’t bat well. (Middle order dismissals) It’s a pretty good wicket. we just needed two big partnerships. It was disappointing after the ten-over performance. We should’ve carried on. (Nahid) He is brilliant, the way he bowled he has made us happy. Last few years our bowling unit has done a great job but our batters need to step up. (Pakistan game) It’s an important game. It will be a confidence booster.
Winning skipper, Mitchell Santner
Feels nice to qualify. Knew Bangladesh would be a challenge. 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 way he can change his pace on these wickets is outstanding. Bowls a lot to right-handers to
Player of the Match, Michael Bracewell
Awesome to contribute to a win. Main focus today was to win and get the semi-final spot. (His lessons from bowling in the tri-series) Just keeping the stumps in play. If you give width, guys can score freely. The breeze across was like the conditions at home. Our side is pretty well balanced. I’m geared up to bowl ten overs every game even at Eden Park, but sometimes you don’t. I was hoping not to get the pad on to bat but it’s always nice to go out there and finish the game. Rachin just goes from strength to strength in ICC events and that’s good to see.
India
