New Zealand vs Bangladesh: 3 turning points in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash

Coming to face off against Bangladesh, New Zealand wouldn’t have anticipated a Champions Trophy debutant to play a pivotal role in a 236-run chase. The stars aligned in favor of Rachin Ravindra as Daryl Mitchell sat out due to illness. Assured of his recovery from the laceration he sustained during the Pakistan ODI tri-series, New Zealand included Rachin Ravindra in the Playing XI for their second group-stage match. The match-up favored the Kiwis, further strengthened by their 60-run victory over Pakistan in the tournament opener and Bangladesh’s six-wicket defeat to India. While the expected outcome unfolded, the match in Rawalpindi didn’t progress as smoothly as it seemed on paper.

Turning points in the New Zealand vs Bangladesh ICC Champions Trophy match

Rachin Ravindra got his chance to make his ICC Champions Trophy debut due to Daryl Mitchell’s illness, and he ensured it was a memorable outing with a century that propelled New Zealand into yet another ICC tournament semifinal. Alongside them, India also secured qualification from Group A, while hosts and defending champions Pakistan, along with Bangladesh, were eliminated. 

• Michael Bracewell rattling the Bangladesh middle-order

The coin fell in favor of Mitchell Santner who opted to bowl first against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. Bangladesh’s batting innings fluctuated wildly before settling at a below-par 236. Opting to bat first, the openers started positively with a brisk 45-run stand. Defying the standard prediction of a high scoring game, the New Zealand bowlers, Michael Bracewell specifically shackled the Bengal Tigers. Bracewell returned career-best figures of 4-26 in his relentless 10-over spell against Bangladesh. His impact was immediate as he broke the opening stand by dismissing Tanzid Hasan.

Bangladesh struggled in the middle overs, failing to build momentum while also losing wickets at regular intervals. Veteran batters fell attempting to accelerate, with Mehidy Hasan chipping Will O’Rourke to mid-on before Bracewell dismantled the middle order. Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah all perished trying to clear the ropes, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 118/5. Bracewell, in his scintillating spell, sent back Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah at 7,2, and 4 respectively. Paralysing Bangladesh's innings further, William O'Rourke chipped in with 2 as Kyle Jamieson and Matt Henry claimed one each.

• The fighting half-century by Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hasan Shanto

In a dwindling batting innings, skipper Najmul Hasan Shanto fought solely with a half-century stand. Only captain Najmul Hossain Shanto managed to blend aggression with stability, his 77 being the standout performance amid Bangladesh’s woes. Bangladesh began positively. As wickets kept falling from the other end, Shanto fought a lone battle before eventually falling to O’Rourke’s well-directed short ball for 77. The 77-run stand proved elemental in pushing his team towards a fighting total. Meanwhile, the lower order, led by Jaker Ali and Rishad Hossain, provided a late flourish, scoring at over six runs an over in the last 10. Their contributions lifted Bangladesh past 200, but it was never going to be enough against the brilliance of Ravindra and company.

• Another century for Rachin Ravindra in an ICC event

Surprisingly, the chase witnessed Bangladesh snatching the momentum with quick wickets, threatening an upset to the Kiwis. Striking early, Taskin Ahmed bowled Will Young with an in-swinger and Nahid Rana found the edge of Kane Williamson’s bat. At 15/2, Bangladesh had a glimmer of hope. However, Rachin Ravindra, fixed in the middle order, snatched any hopes left with the Bengal contingent.

He first stabilized the innings with a 57-run stand alongside Devon Conway before Mustafizur Rahman dismissed the opener. However, Ravindra, exuding confidence from the start, flicked his second delivery off Rana for four and later took Taskin apart with consecutive boundaries through the covers, shifting momentum in New Zealand’s favor. Ravindra reached his fifty in style with a straight drive, settling into a decisive 129-run partnership with Tom Latham. Fresh from a century in the previous game, Latham played another crucial role while Ravindra took charge.

Either side of reaching his hundred, Ravindra benefitted from two dropped catches, but by then, Bangladesh’s hopes were all but shattered. With this knock, he surpassed Williamson as New Zealand’s top century-maker in ICC ODI tournaments. Though both fell after the 200-run mark was crossed, the result was already sealed. Ravindra’s composed 112 off 105 balls anchored New Zealand’s efficient chase of Bangladesh’s 236, wrapping up the game with five wickets in hand and 23 balls to spare.

The New Zealand vs Bangladesh fixture has drawn a clear line between the semi-final contenders and the eliminated teams. Bangladesh lost their chance and, in the process, dashed any remaining hopes for the hosts and defending champions, Pakistan. Now, the focus shifts to Group B, where Australia and South Africa are poised as the favorites to secure qualification.