The battle at Rawalpindi on February 24, 2025, was nothing short of a high-voltage thriller! New Zealand roared into the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy, knocking Bangladesh (and Pakistan!) out of the tournament with a commanding five-wicket win.
Bangladesh’s Batting Struggles: A Tale of Wasted Balls
Bangladesh, opting to bat first, aimed to put up a big total but ended up playing a frustrating 178 dot balls! Najmul Hossain Shanto (77) and Jaker Ali (45) tried to steady the innings, but poor shot selection haunted them. The real tormentor? Michael Bracewell! The New Zealand spinner ripped through the batting lineup, claiming 4 for 26—the best-ever spell by a Kiwi spinner in Champions Trophy history!
Final Score? Bangladesh: 236/9 in 50 overs. Decent, but nowhere near intimidating for the Black Caps.
New Zealand’s Chase: Rachin Ravindra’s Masterclass!
The chase got off to a rocky start, with New Zealand losing two wickets for just 15 runs. Bangladesh sensed an upset. Enter Rachin Ravindra, and the game changed in an instant!
Batting at No. 4—a position he wasn’t familiar with—Ravindra played a stunning 112-run knock, cementing his place as New Zealand’s new middle-order rockstar. With Tom Latham adding a crucial 55 runs, the duo took the game away from Bangladesh, sealing victory in 46.1 overs.
What the Captains Said
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner couldn’t stop praising Bracewell’s magic with the ball, calling him “a match-winner on any surface.” On the batting side, Tom Latham lauded Ravindra’s temperament, especially since he was coming back from an injury and batting in a new position.
Semi-Final Drama Set: New Zealand vs India?
With this win, New Zealand booked their semi-final spot alongside India, setting up a blockbuster clash to decide the Group A topper. Meanwhile, heartbreak hit Bangladesh and defending champions Pakistan, both crashing out of the tournament.
New Zealand is peaking at just the right time—could this be their year to finally lift the trophy? Stay tuned for more action!
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