Champions Trophy 2025, New Zealand vs Bangladesh Highlights: NZ win to end PAK, BAN’s semis hopes

Bangladesh's Najmul Hossain Shanto is speaking after New Zealand's win over Bangladesh.

"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," says Shanto

Michael Bracewell, the Player of the Match, for the NZ vs BAN game, is speaking after New Zealand's win over Bangladesh.

"Awesome to contribute to a win. Our main objective was getting to that semi-final spot. It was about keeping the stumps in play and bowling straight, not making it easy for them to score. There was some help on the surface, but you don’t have any real control once the ball has left your hand. Our side is pretty well balanced. I was hoping I won’t need to get the pads on, but don’t mind. Rachin and Latham set up the game perfectly, made things easier in the end," says Bracewell.

That's it, a five-wicket win for New Zealand in Rawalpindi which eliminates Bangladesh -- and more importantly, Pakistan -- from the race for the semi-final spots. So it will be India and New Zealand qualifying for the semis from Group A. The two teams will also play their final group stage game against each other on Sunday.

Pakistan and  bangladesh, meanwhile, play their final group stage game against each other later in the week. In that game, there will be little besides pride on the line.  

A glitch in the sight screen behind the bowler has led to a hold up in the game with New Zealand just six runs away from victory. And the umpires are trying to coax the Black Cap batters to play on. 

There is a part on the bottom of hte black screen that's flashing lights so the batters are complaining they cannot bat with that blinking right behidn the bowler's arms. 

The commentators are joking that maybe if the issue cannot be fixed both teams can split a point due to technical reason. 

The issue is finally fixed with four black objects stacked in front of each other to cover the blinking lights. 

Pakistan and Bangladesh are just six runs away from being eliminated from the race for the Champions Trophy semi-finals. 

Both teams will play each other in the final group stage game, but that will just be a game for group stage rankings. 

This will lead to a furore back in Pakistan, who are the hosts and the defending champions. 

Some late drama here?! Or is it too late in the day for drama? 

Tom Latham gets run out for 55 runs after trying to steal a single with the team needing just 23 off 51 balls. There was no need for that risk, but the Black Caps innings has been so devoid of drama, that they decided to up the ante with the target in sight. 

And Latham pays the price as Mahmudullah, who spilled the easy catch of Rachin Ravindra, hits the stumps. 

Bracewell, who has claiemd four wickets and that exceptional diving catch in the field, is in the middle. Clearly, the stage is set for him to hit the winning runs. It woulkd be a fitting end to this game. 

Tom Latham has his half centuryt as New Zealand need just 32 runs from 66 balls for victory. Just three fours in that knock so far, but a very stabilising innings for the Black Caps tonight. Infused a lot of calm for the team, which was down to 15/2 at one stage and could have imploded. 

Remember, a win for New Zealand means Bangladesh are out of hte race for the semi-final spot. A New Zealand win also eliminates Pakistan, who are the defending champions and the hosts. 

Just as New Zealand cross the 200-run mark, Rachin Ravindra hands Bangladesh his wicket. He's out for 112 off 105 balls. 

But the Black Caps need just 36 runs off 70 balls for victory. 

Mahmudullah drops Rachin Ravindra at mid on on 105. Mustafizur Rahman did well to earn that chance. That was an easy catch too, and Mahmudullah just fumbled it. 

Judging by the way New Zealand players fielded today, any one of the Black Caps players would have caught that with a blindfold on. 

Is that the drop catch that ends up eliminating Bangladesh and Pakistan? Maybe not. Pakistan sealed their own fate. But Bangladesh are also responsible for their own fate here. 

Rachin Ravindra has his century off 95 balls as New Zealand need just 60 runs to win off 90 balls. 

This is Rachin's fourth ODI century, and what a time to get it. New Zealand were 15/2 when he started rebuilding the innings with Devon Conway. Then, after Conway departed, he's kept on going with Tom Latham. Rachin had to play at No 4 today after sitting out the last game against Pakistan. 

And this just makes the New Zealand think tank's job harder against India i nthe final group stage game. Who do they drop if Daryl Mitchell has to be accomodated in the XI. 

Navid Rana is called back for another spell. He's bowling with good pace and manages to concede just one run in the 33rd over. Bangladesh need a lot more of these if they are to prevent New Zealand from winning this game. They will also need a few wickets at least to halt the Black Caps. 

Rachin Ravindra and Tom Latham have stitched a partnership of 93 off 104 balls. New Zealand need just 72 runs off 102 balls to end Pakistan and Bangladesh's semi-finals chances. 

Rachin Ravindra has guided New Zealand past the 150-run mark as he himself bats on 85 while last game's centurion Tom Latham is on 30 runs. 

Their partnership for the 4th wicket is now 82 runs off 88 deliveries. They have barely taken any risk or felt any scoreboard pressure like Bangladesh did in this passage of play when they were batting. 

Bangladesh need a breakthrough. NOW!

Rachin Ravindra goes down on a knee and tries to slap the ball to leg side. He loses his balance and falls, the ball rises in the air. But the fielder cannot get to the ball, much to the dismay of Miraz. 

That would have been a game changing wicket if it had gone Bangladesh's way.

Last game's centurion Tom Latham has joined Rachin Ravindra in the middle and the two batters have managed to guide the Black Caps past the 100-run mark. Ravindra got to his 50 just a few balls prior. 

Interestingly, Bangladesh were also at 99/3 after 21 overs. But we're now at a phase where Bangladesh lost their way. The 10-over phase between overs 21 and 30 saw Bangladesh score just 48 runs for the loss of three wickets, all of which were largely self-inflicted errors.  

Rachin Ravindra missed the first game for New Zealand and is making his return to the playing XI count. He's scored a half century against Bangladesh and he gets to the milestone with a gorgeous drive down the pitch for a boundary. 

Taskin Ahmed bowled a fuller one on the middle stump, and Ravindra got a good stride out and slapped it past the bowler for a boundary. The left hander has hit six boundaries so far. 

Bangladesh were also at 99/3 after 21 overs.

A breakthrough for Bangladesh just when they desperately needed it the most! Mustafizur Rahman blows away the stumps of Devon Conway for 30 runs after the left hander had managed to combine with Rachin Ravindra to stabilse the Black Caps with a 50-run partnership for the third wicket. 

Thanks to Rachin and Conway, the Black Caps had gone from 15/2 to 72/2 without the run rate being affected too much. But just when it looked like Bangladesh were losing the plot, an incredible delivery from Mustafizur Rahman rattles the stumps of Conway. 

New Zealand are 72/3 in the 16th over

Here's one way to react to losing early wickets: New Zealand had been reduced to 15/2 and were 20 for 2 after six overs. In the next three overs, Ravindra and Conway scored 29 runs.

Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway have stitched a 50-run partnership off 62 balls. Ravindra has contributed 33 runs off that while Conway has scored 18. 

The Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway partnership has stabilised New Zealand after two early wickets for 15 runs. What's more instructive is that the Black Caps have scored 48 of their 54 runs in the first 10 overs off hits to the fence today. The two left handers are looking in great nick today. Their 12 boundaries have largely been risk-free hits to the ropes. 

After 10 overs, NZ 54/2 (Run Rate: 5.40 - Required Run Rate: 4.57)

Nahid Rana is hit for three boundaries in the 8th over of New Zealand innings as Devon Conway starts to find his rhythm. The young Rana strayed on the pads for the first four and Conway swatted it away to the leg side. On the next ball, the ball was sent off to the leg side boundary again by Conway. And then, on the final delivery of the over, Conway opens the bat and creams a cover drive. 

12 runs off the 8th over! And you can be sure that this will be the last we will be seeing off Nahid Rana foir soem time, as Bangladesh will most likely give the youngster some rest to get back his bearings. 

New Zealand are 40/2 after 8 overs

SO far, as he ends his third over to New Zealand, Nahid Rana has touched speed of 147.7 kmph. 

The slowest ball he has had so far is 131.9 kmph. He's averaging pace in the 140s, and the Bangladesh team are rallying around him. 

Six overs gone. Nahid has given away just 12 runs in his three overs.

After six overs, Bangladesh were 24/0. New Zealand are 20/2. 

WHAT A WICKET FOR YOUNG NAHID RANA! 

He gets rid of the veteran Kane Willamson for five runs after inducing an edge from the batter. He had also gotten Willamson to nick a ball in the first over, but that one had flown to the boundary. This time, it flies straight to the wicketkeeper. 

New Zealand are 15/2 after 3.3 overs

Devon Conway is taking the fight to Taskin Ahmed. Taskin had a maiden wicket over in the first one, ending it with style after rattling the stumps of Will Young. Just to make sure that the bowler does not get too much confidence from that wicket, Conway hits back-to-back fours off Taskin's second over: a square drive followed by a sweet shot through the gap between backward point and point.

So the 22-year-old Nahid Rana bowls his first ODI over and touches speeds of mid- 140 kmph in his bowling. He even got an edge from Kane Williamson on one of the balls, but the ball flew slightly wide of the man on first slip and went ot the boundary ropes. 

Five runs in the over from him, but a great start to ODI cricket for the Bangladesh youngster! 

READ MORE: Who is Nahid Rana, Bangladesh’s fastest-ever pacer, fast-tracked into team

What a delivery from Taskin Ahmed. He bowls Will Young for a duck on the 6th ball of his first over.  

That's a big wicket! Remember, Will Young was one of the two centurions for the Black Caps in the last game. 

The ball nipped back through the gate, and Young's stumps are rattled! He leaves without troubling the scorers. And Bangladesh have their first wicket!   

NZ 0/1 after 1 over

Taskin Ahmed is out with the ball for Bangladesh. Young and Conway are in the middle for New Zealand. 

237 runs to chase down for the Black Caps. 

237 runs stand between New Zealand and a semi-final spot in the Champions Trophy. Bangladesh's (and Pakistan's) chances of making it to the semis hinge on Bangladesh winning today. 

Just look at the breakdown of runs for Bangladesh: 

1-10 overs:

Phase score: 58/1 score | Run rate: 5.80

11-20 overs: 

Phase score: 39/1  | Run rate: 3.90 

21-30 overs: 

Phase score:34/3   | Run rate: 3.40

31-40 overs:

Phase score: 41/1 | Run rate: 4.10 

41-50 overs: 

Phase score: 64/3 | Run rate: 6.40

Jaker Ali is back in the hut after gettign run out by keeper Tom Latham while trying to steal a bye in the 49th over. He's gone for 45 runs from 55 balls in a knock that saw him hit 3 fours and a six at a strike rate of 81.81.

Ali was trying to scamper to the striker's end on the first ball of the 49th over so that he gets to face five deliveries. Instead, he's returning to the hut. He's been the most consistent batter for Bangladesh over the two games at the Champions Trophy. If the plan was to run a quick single, he could have backed up more. He dived to reach his ground, but could not make it. Replays showed that he was inside the crease when the ball was released. And if he was further down the pitch, he could have been in the crease.

Jaker Ali run out (†Latham) 45 (55b 3x4 1x6) SR: 81.81

325 dot balls bowled by New Zealand bowlers in the Champions Trophy now!  

They had 162 dot balls vs Pakistan in the first game. And they now have 163 dot balls vs Bangladesh after 44.2 overs. 

Impressive figures for a team in a tournament of this statire and against teams like Pakistan and Bangladesh! 

Bangladesh slumped from 97/2 to go 118/5 with three wickets, including that of last game's hero Towhid Hridoy falling close to each other, It was that phase that took the wind out of Bangladesh's sails as they stopped hitting boundaries for long stretches. Some of their very senior stars just threw away their wickets. 

Rishad Hossain loses his wicket as he tried to push the pace. Bangladesh down seven wickets. He was looking to push the pace and hit two fours and a six before departing for 26 runs off 25 balls. 

He also stitched a decent partnership with Jaker Ali. Bangladesh are edging closer to the 200-run mark. 

After a long phase of slow progress and batting with caution, Bangladesh batters throwing caution to the winds.  

A 79-metre six over wide long on from Rishad Hossain against Santner in the 41st over. Just in the previous over, he had slapped Henry for a four through long-on! They need an urgent infusion of runs in the scoreboard now with the finish line nearing. 

Anf this is the big one! The set batter and captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, departs for 77 runs. He tried to push the run rate for Bangladesh but ended up top edging the ball high in the air. There were three fielders converging under the ball, but it's Michael Bracewell who dives full stretch to claim it. Bracewell has already claimed four wickets on the afternoon, and is not contributing with his fielding. 

Bangladesh in dire straits as they slump to 163/6 after Shanto's departure.  

Bangladesh finally limp past the 150-run mark in the 36th over. And right after that, Shanto hits a boundary which is Bangladesh's first hit to the fence after 51 balls! 

Just what are Bangladesh doing here! They are down to five wickets now! Michael Bracewell has bowled tight and kept the pressure on the Bangladesh batters. But he has his fourth wicket as Mahmudullah departs after a shot that he would kick himself for playing. 

Bracewell is now the first NZ spinner to take a four-wicket haul since 2000 in a ICC Champions Trophy. 

This is now his best bowling effort in ODIs as he ends the 10 overs with figures of 4 wickets for 26 runs. 

Mahmudullah ends his stint in the middle for 4 runs off 14 balls. BAN are 118/5

101 dot balls already for Bangladesh and we're in the 26th over! A lot of those dot balls have come off the bowling of Michael Bracewell, who has one final over left. 

In his nine overs on the afternoon in Rawalpindi, he's given away just 25 runs. And he's taken three out of the four wickets New Zealand have claimed so far. 

Najmul Shanto is the lone warrior out in the middle for Bangladesh. He crosses his half century off 71 balls while wickets have fallen on the other end for the team. 

Shanto is the top scorer for Bangladesh in  ODIs since January 2022 with 1447 runs. The second run getter for Bangladesh, Litton Das, is not in the Bangladesh squad. How much are they missing him! 

Mushfiqur Rahim throws away his wicket as Bangladesh fall to 106/4! The experienced batter batted for four balls, before thinking he needed to slap a ball from Michael Bracewell over the ropes for a maximum. All he ended up doing was handing  Rachin Ravindra an easy catch in the deep!

Mushfiqur Rahim 2 (5) c Rachin Ravindra b Michael Bracewell | BAN are 106/4

Towhid Hridoy, who battled cramps to get his century against India in the last group stage game, is gone! He had a scratchy stay in the middle today against New Zealand. Managed just seven runs off 24 balls before offering up a tricky catch for Kane Williamson, who had to run a lot before hanging on to the ball while falling. 

But Bangladesh are now down three wickets without having crossed the 100-run mark. It's still much better than they were against India, where they were 35/5. 

Tawhid Hridoy 7 (24) c Kane Williamson b Michael Bracewell  | BAN 97/3

Will O'Rourke and Michael Bracewell ensured that Bangadesh went through a stretch of 27 balls without Bangladesh getting a boundary. Bangladesh run rate slowing down to a crawl there.

Finally, they get a boundary in the 19th over from Najmul Hossain Shanto who tried to sweep the ball from Michael Bracewell and ended up getting an edge. 

On the commentary, Nasser Hussain and Matthew Hayden are making the point that Bangladesh need more power-hitters in the side. This is what the team is lacking at the moment, the two former cricketers-turned-analysts believe. 

'The Bangladesh players are slight in build,' said Hussain. 'And the modern game needs power hitters in the side.'

He points out that gym work for cricketers became the norm at the end of his career rather than players just working on aerobic fitness. 

Michael Bracewell speeds through his fourth over giving away just one run. And his four overs have yielded just 12 runs for Bangladesh. He's tightening things from one end. The dot balls through the middle against spin has been a real challenge for Bangladesh. 

Will O'Rourke is bowling at the other end, and Bangladesh batters will try taking risks against him. 

Bangladesh lose their second wicket. Another catch at mid-on. This time it's Mehidy Hasan Miraz who's gone! He tried to flick the ball that was on his pads, but all he managed to do was get a thick inside edge. Mitchell Santner has taken 49th catches in ODIs. But it's likely that he has never taken an easier catch than this one.  

And Will O'Rourke gets his first wicket in the Champions Trophy!  

BAN are 64/2 as Tawhid Hridoy comes out to bat.

New Zealand have a breakthrough! Michael Bracewell comes in for Henry, and in his second ball, he has a breakthrough. Tanzid Hasan departs for 24, caught by Kane Williamson at mid-wicket. A simple catch off an inside edge ends Tanzid's innings.

Bangladesh now 45/1. Mehidy Hasan Miraz comes to the crease

Jamieson had a maiden in the last over. Bowled the ball a little bit up. But the 8th over sees Shanto hitting him for three boundaries and he bowls shorter. Shanto had been playing circumspect cricket so far. But in the 8th over, he's cut loose. 

And immediately after that high-scoring over, New Zealand bring on Michael Bracewell to replace Matt Henry. 

Pressure was starting to build on the Bangladesh openers after 11 dot balls in a row, which included a maiden over. But then, Tanzid punishes a short ball from Henry to the midwicket ropes. The ball flies 73 metres and lands bang on the rope! He's missed a few shots today and mis-cued a few more also. But this one he catches clean!  

That's got to hurt! Tanzid tries to heave a ball from Henry to the leg side. Misses it completely and the ball catches him in the ribs! Knocks the wind out of him for a while, but he's okay to continue. 

New Zealand have an overwhelming record against Bangladesh in ODIs. The two teams have played each other in 45 games. With one game ending in a no result, Bangladesh have won just 11 games. NZ have won 33. 

Meanwhile, Jamieson has bowled a maiden over in Bangladesh's sixth.

BAN 24/0 after 6 overs.

Bangladesh have managed to keep all their wickets intact after the first five overs. Remember, they were 35/5 in the blink of an eye against India before Jaker Ali and Towid Hridoy managed to fashion a sixth wicket partnership that gave them some respectability.

Tanzid today has adopted the role of an aggressor with 16 runs off 16 balls. Shanto is on 8 from 17, dropping anchor for the team at the top. 

Stats show that New Zealand really do not like playing ODIs in Rawalpindi. The Black Caps have lost each of the five ODIs they have played in the stadium. 

Bangladesh were 35/5 in the first game against India. But this looks like a really good pitch for batting, so that seems unlikely. But for the second time in two overs, Tanzid tries to take on the bowler, and cannot middle it. It's in the air, and Tanzid gets lucky again. 

But just after that spliced shot, Tanzid slaps a boundary and then flicks the ball off the leg side for a massive six! 

10 runs form the over. BAN 13/0 after 2 overs.

Tanzid swung and missed on the second ball after scurrying for two runs on the first. On the third ball, he almost hit the ball into the hands of the O'Rourke at mid-on. It fell inches ahead of the New Zealand fielder. 

There is further drama on the fifth ball as Henry gets the ball to hit the pads of Shanto, and NZ take a late review with just a second left on the DRS timer. The review is lost. But Bangladesh openers surviving that first over.

BAN 3/0 after one over.

Matt Henry has the ball. For Bangladesh, Tanzid and Shanto are out in the middle with Tanzid facing the first ball! 

Here we go! 

.. Pakistan will be eliminated from the Champions Trophy. 

SO Pakistan will be rooting for Bangladesh today. 

"I would have bowled first as well but it looks a pretty good wicket. Batting will not be an issue.

"We have made two changes. Mahmudullah Riyad & Nahid Rana back into the side in place of Soumya and Sakib. 

"(On Nahid Rana) Yes, a very exciting prospect. The way he has bowled in the last few years has been amazing. Very happy with the way he has bowled so far.

"Yes obviously, the way we batted in the middle overs versus India, that has given us a lot of confidence. We need to bat well with the new ball."

"We are gonna bowl. It looks a good surface and hopefully, it gets better under lights.

"We have got two changes. Kyle Jamieson comes in place of Nathan Smith. Unfortunately, Daryl Mitchell is unwell and Rachin Ravindra replaces him.

"It's good to spend some time in the subcontinent before the big tournament. Always good in the lead up to the tournament to get used to the conditions.

"We had the belief in him (Tom Latham). He is a class player and plays a crucial role for us in the middle overs.

"Yeah, it will be nice. But Bangladesh are a good side, especially in these conditions, and we have to play well today."

New Zealand XI: Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William O'Rourke

Bangladesh XI: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Tanzid Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Mahmudullah Riyad, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana

New Zealand have won the toss and they have elected to bat first against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi.

Mel Jones: "Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is all set to host its first game of the Champions Trophy 2025. The temperature is in low-20s and there is a nice breeze flowing across the ground. Let's look at the dimensions. The square boundaries are 71m and 65m. The straight hit is 80m whereas the cow corner boundary is 78m. I have got Matthew Hayden with me. What do you make of this surface?"

Matthew Hayden: "Take a look at this wicket. It looks an absolute belter. Few little cracks are visible which suggest that it might be slightly dry. But the seamers will prevail on this surface. Look out for the New Zealand's bowlers who bowl from a lot of height. It will be tough facing them. Anything around 270 will be a good total here. Win the toss and bowl first. I want to know what my target is."

Bangladesh
L, L, L, L, L

New Zealand
W, W, W, W, L

Head-to-Head (last 5 matches):

Bangladesh won: 1

New Zealand won: 4