New Zealand’s Victory Over Bangladesh Seals Early Exit for Pakistan and Bangladesh
In a thrilling match held in Rawalpindi, New Zealand secured a well-earned victory over Bangladesh by five wickets. This win not only marked an impressive comeback for the Black Caps but also resulted in the elimination of both Bangladesh and hosts Pakistan from the ICC Champions Trophy. The star of the match was Rachin Ravindra, who made a stunning return to the team with a match-winning 112 runs off 105 deliveries. His performance was crucial in leading New Zealand to victory, especially after missing their opening match against Pakistan due to a head injury.
Ravindra’s magnificent innings not only secured the win for the Black Caps but also set the stage for an exciting showdown with India, who also boast two wins in the tournament so far. The upcoming match between New Zealand and India will determine the top spot in Group A and is scheduled to take place on Sunday. Cricket enthusiasts can catch all the action live on Sky Sports Cricket, starting from 8:30 am (first ball at 9 am).
The Thrilling Match
New Zealand faced a challenging start to their run-chase, losing key players Will Young and Kane Williamson early in the game. However, Ravindra’s exceptional performance turned the tide in their favor as he led the team’s recovery alongside Devon Conway and Tom Latham. Notably, Latham, who scored a century in the tournament opener, contributed a crucial half-century and together with Ravindra, built a strong partnership that propelled New Zealand towards victory.
Ravindra’s century, his fourth in ODIs, came off 95 balls in the 35th over and played a pivotal role in securing the win for the Black Caps. Despite his and Latham’s departure, Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell guided the team to victory with a composed finish, crossing the finish line with nearly four overs to spare.
A Dominant Performance
On the other side, Bangladesh, after a promising start with the bat, failed to capitalize on their early momentum and posted 236-9 after being put into bat by New Zealand. Tigers captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s impressive 77 runs, supported by Jaker Ali’s 45, provided some resistance. However, the Bangladeshi team could not withstand the bowling attack led by Michael Bracewell, who finished with exceptional figures of 4-26 in his 10 overs. Will O’Rourke also made significant contributions with 2-48, restricting Bangladesh’s total.
Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana’s early breakthroughs created some initial tension for New Zealand, but Ravindra’s outstanding century steered the team towards victory, overshadowing Bangladesh’s efforts. As a result, Bangladesh fell short of defending their total, conceding the match to New Zealand.
In the upcoming matches, Australia will face South Africa in a crucial Group B contest, while England will take on Afghanistan in another high-stakes game. The ICC Champions Trophy continues to deliver thrilling encounters, with teams vying for top positions in their respective groups.
The tournament promises more exciting matches ahead, leading up to the semi-finals and the highly-anticipated final on March 9. Cricket enthusiasts can catch all the action live on Sky Sports or stream the matches with NOW. Get ready for more nail-biting moments as the best teams battle it out for glory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
