The Champions Trophy clash of Bangladesh vs New Zealand was a must-win and the Black Caps triumphed in style, taking the points with a convincing five-wicket win. New Zealand qualified for the semi-finals along with India with this win, while the doors were closed for Pakistan and Bangladesh. Let us go into the match summary, highlight performances and what went wrong for Bangladesh.
Match Scorecard: Bangladesh vs New Zealand
Bangladesh Innings:
Bangladesh’s batting started with promise but quickly lost momentum. The star performer was Najmul Hossain Shanto, who scored 77 off 110 balls, but lack of support from senior players cost them dearly.
- Najmul Hossain Shanto: 77 (110)
- Jaker Ali: 45 (38)
- Mushfiqur Rahim & Mahmudullah: A combined 6 runs (yes, you read that right!)
- Total: 236/9 (50 overs)
- Michael Bracewell: 4-26 (Bangladesh’s biggest headache)
- Will O’Rourke: 2-48
New Zealand Innings:
Chasing 237, New Zealand suffered early blows but remained unshaken. Rachin Ravindra was the man of the moment, delivering a match-winning century (112 off 120 balls), well supported by Tom Latham’s 55.
- Rachin Ravindra: 112 (120)
- Tom Latham: 55 (66)
- New Zealand: 240/5 (46.1 overs)
- Result: New Zealand won by 5 wickets with 23 balls remaining.
Key Takeaways From The Match
1. Rachin Ravindra’s Masterclass
Rachin Ravindra proved why he is the next big thing in New Zealand cricket. Coming in at 15/2, he anchored the innings like a true champion, showing maturity beyond his years. Bangladesh simply had no answer to his elegant stroke play and clever shot selection.
2. Bangladesh’s Middle Order Meltdown
Despite a solid start, Bangladesh’s batting collapse cost them the game. Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah, with a combined experience of 500+ matches, managed only 6 runs (yikes!). When you’re in a must-win match, that’s just not good enough.
3. Michael Bracewell’s Magic
Bangladesh’s batters were left scratching their heads as Bracewell spun a web around them. His 4-26 in 10 overs ensured that Bangladesh never got any momentum. To put it in perspective, Bangladesh faced 178 dot balls—their worst strike rotation since 2012.
4. Taskin & Rana’s Fiery Start
The Bangladesh pacers gave their team a glimmer of hope, reducing New Zealand to 15/2 in the fourth over. But their momentum was quickly nullified by Ravindra’s resilience and Latham’s calmness.
5. Bangladesh’s Poor Strategy
- Running between wickets: Non-existent.
- Strike rotation: Forgettable.
- Decision-making: Questionable.
- Fielding: Missed chances galore.
Even when the pitch started offering sharp turn and low bounce under lights, Bangladesh had already let the game slip away.
What’s Next?
With this win, New Zealand and India are set for a battle to determine the group topper, while Pakistan and Bangladesh pack their bags (and perhaps start their flight search early). The Kiwis will now be eyeing the Champions Trophy title, and with Rachin Ravindra in sublime form, they might just go all the way.
FAQs
Rachin Ravindra, for his spectacular 112-run knock, which single-handedly guided New Zealand to victory.
Their middle-order collapse, poor strike rotation, and inability to capitalize on their bowling start. Also, 178 dot balls didn’t help.
Michael Bracewell (4-26) and Will O’Rourke (2-48) from New Zealand were brilliant with the ball.
With this win over Bangladesh, they moved into the top two of Group A, securing a semi-final spot alongside India.
Time for some serious introspection. Their Champions Trophy campaign is over, and they need to rebuild and rethink their strategies before the next big tournament.
Conclusion
The Bangladesh vs New Zealand match had it all – a high-stakes clash, an early collapse, a heroic hundred and a clinical chase. Ultimately, it was New Zealand’s poise and Rachin Ravindra’s magic that mattered. Bangladesh and Pakistan may have fallen by the wayside but New Zealand and India march into the semi-finals and keep alive their hopes of a title.
We will get to know more as the time inches towards the Champions Trophy Finale. 🚀🏏
