With the win, New Zealand and India qualify for the semifinal of the Champions Trophy 2025 with two wins each, while hosts Pakistan and Bangladesh were knocked out with no wins so far.
Bangladesh batted first, huffing and puffing their way to 236 runs. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto scored 77 runs, but took 110 balls to get the runs. He found no support from the middle order as Bangladesh were reduced to 196/7 at one stage. However, Jaker Ali, who had scored a half century against India in the previous match, scored 45 runs batting at number 7.
For New Zealand, off-spinner Michael Bracewell bowled an outstanding spell of 4/26 in 10 overs. William O’Rourke got a couple of wickets to his name.
Chasing a modest total, New Zealand had a horror start as they lost both Will Young and Kane Williamson inside the powerplay. However, Rachin Ravindra, batting at four in the absence of Daryl Mitchell settled the nerves and scored a 105-ball 112. He was ably supported by Tom Latham, coming fresh of a century against Pakistan, who was run out for 55 runs.This was Rachin Ravindra’s debut Champions Trophy century. He had also scored a century on his World Cup debut. The left-handed batter now has four centuries in ICC events, the most for a New Zealand batter.
Bangladeshi bowlers did not threaten the New Zealand batters enough as the Black Caps registered a comfortable win with 24 balls to spare.
