Ravindra’s Century & Bracewell’s Four-Wicket Haul Propel New Zealand to the Semi-Finals in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

 

    File: Rachin Ravindra will O'Rourke credit-ICC

Overview

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 6th match is played today at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium between Bangladesh and New Zealand. Both the teams came into the match with contrasting fortunes. New Zealand have won their 1st group match against Pakistan whereas Bangladesh have lost their 1st group match against Rohit Sharma's India. So, the New Zealand spot for the semifinal was online whereas Bangladesh were fighting for their survival in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

It was an important game for both teams who had contrasting fortunes in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 so far. Both teams played a high-quality game with the game swinging like a pendulum both ways from time to time. Another Interesting part of this contest was that the Pakistan team's survival in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was also on the line as they were dependent on Bangladesh's win here. 

Team News and playing 11

Both Bangladesh and New Zealand had made two changes to their sides, Mahmood Ullah was brought in to replace Soumya Sarkar, and Nahid Rana replaced Tanzid Hassan Saqib in the final playing 11. For New Zealand, Rachin Ravindra recovered from injury and replaced Daryl Mitchel in the team whereas Kyle Jamison replaced Nathan Smith.

    Photo: Devon Convay and Soumya Sarkar credit-ICC

1st Innings and Key Moments

New Zealand won the toss and they elected to field 1st on the track that was looking decent. Bangladesh openers started aggressively as they tried to put Kiwi's pacers under pressure with some hard-hitting. Runs started to flow freely for Bangladesh. Spin introduction in the 9th over brought a breakthrough for New Zealand as Tanzid Hasan was dismissed by Bracewell. Bangladesh lost Mehdi Hassan Miraz at the score of 64 in the 13th over of the innings as O'Rourke struck. Last match centurian Tohid Hiridoy was unable to get momentum into the innings this time as he departed at a total of 97 in the 21st over of the innings. 

Senior batters Mushfiqur Rahim and Mehmood Ullah Riyad got out cheaply to Bracewell as Bangladesh was reeling at 118/5 in the 27th over. Najmul Hassan Shanto held one end played some delightful strokes and completed his well-made fifty. Jaker Ali and Najuml Hassan started to rebuild the innings that were going nowhere. However, after the departure of Shanto, no other batter could give good resistance to New Zealand bowlers. Jaker Ali tried to score some crucial runs as Bangladesh scored 236/9 in their allotted 50 overs. A score that was looking below par at that stage. 

Najmul Hassan Shanto scored 77 off 110 balls. Micheal Bracewell bowled beautifully and got 4 wickets for just 26 runs in his 10 overs. Whereas Will O'Rourke got 2 wickets for 48 runs. 

    Photo: Micheal Bracewell, Devon Convay credit-ICC

2nd Innings and Key Moments

New Zealand lost Will Young and Kane Williamson earlier while chasing 237 as Naheed Rana and Takin Ahmed struck to provide Bangladesh early openings. Bangladesh pacers used their pace to their assistance as the pitch was providing them earlier assistance. Rachin Ravindra and Devon Convey took time before playing their shots and they took New Zealand's total to 72. Just when both the batters were breaking free Mustafizur struck back to dismiss Devon Convay in the 16th over of the innings.

Tom Latham joined Rachin Ravindra as both batters started to build partnerships and milking singles. Soon Rachin Ravindra shifted gears as he started playing his shots and completed his well-constructed fifty. Bangladesh couldn't put pressure on the batters as the required rate was well under control. So, both batters played flawlessly without taking much risk. Bangladesh's Captain kept changing bowlers to get wickets as it was the only way for them to stay in the game but the batters batted beautifully and kept the scoreboard ticking. 

Rachin Ravindra completed his 4th century and stamped his team's authority in the chase. Bangladesh got a few wickets towards the back end of the Innings but it was too late as the game was almost done and dusted. As a result, New Zealand won the match by 5 wickets with 23 balls to spare. Rachin Ravindra was the top scorer as he scored 112 off just 105 balls. Whereas Tom Latham also played a vital knock he scored 55 off 76 balls.

    Photo: Rachin Ravindra, Tom Latham credit-ICC

Top Performers of the Match

1st Innings

• Najmul Hassan Shanto scored 77 off 110 balls
• Jaker Ali scored 45 off 55 balls.
• Micheal Bracewell got 4 wickets for  26 runs in 10 overs.
• Will O'Rourke got 2 for 48 in his 10 overs.

2nd Innings

• Rachin Ravindra scored 112 off 105 balls
• Tom Latham scored 55 of 76 balls

Player of the Match

Micheal Bracewell was handed Player of the Match for his match-winning performance of 10-26 runs for 4 wickets with the ball. He was simply brilliant with the ball. He used the conditions beautifully and bowled good lines. He caused a lot of trouble for the Bangladesh batters with his variations and extra bounce.

     Photo: Micheal Bracewell credit-ICC

Where was the match lost?

Bangladesh was 97 for 2 in the 20th over and was going nicely when Micheal Bracewell was introduced for his second spell. Bangladesh lost a cluster of wickets to him in the span of 2-3 overs as they were reduced to 117/5. So, I think that was the turning point of the match. Micheal Bracewell never let batters settle and got regular wickets to halt Bangladesh's batting progress. After that Bangladesh was left behind in the game as they kept catching New Zealand. After losing 5 wickets Bangladesh's batters had no option but to play risk-free cricket as a result they couldn't score runs at their will and Bangladesh set a total that was never looking to challenge New Zealand's batting which has a lot of depth also. 

What's next for both teams?

So, After today's match, Group A is almost done and dusted as India and New Zealand have qualified for the semi-final whereas host Pakistan and Bangladesh are eliminated. Now Pakistan will face Bangladesh on February 27, 2025, in their last group match which is nothing more than a dead rubber. India and New Zealand will face each other in the last match of Group A as it will be a clash of tables toppers. 

So, What are your thoughts on Who will win the ICC Champions Trophy 2025? And Who will be the top runs scorer and top wicket-taker of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.