DHAKA, Feb 24, 2025 (BSS)- Bangladesh’s prospect to play the semi final of the Champions Trophy was ruined completely after tasting a five-wicket defeat to New Zealand at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium today. 

Bangladesh posted a moderate 236-9, thanks to captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 77, a total that New Zealand gunned down with absolute ease, reaching 240-5 for victory in 46.1 overs. 

Youngster Rachin Ravindra, considered as the future great in world cricket, was instrumental in the victory by hitting 105 ball-112 with a dozen of boundaries and one six.  Tom Latham made 55. Pacer Michael Bracewell also played his part well by claiming 4-26.

Bangladesh earlier lost the first game to India by six wickets, making it a ‘do or die’ contest for them. But they came up with yet another disappointing performance to sink them. 

Bangladesh’s defeat also ruled out Pakistan’s slim chance of making it semi-final. However, the two teams will meet on Thursday at the same venue to grab a consolation victory. 

Ravindra and Latham put on 129-run for the fourth wicket stand to edge the side closer to victory after Bangladesh briefly threatened to make the contest tight one.

A fine new bowling display from Taskin Ahmed and young sensation Nahid Rana reduced New Zealand to 15-2 in fourth over, giving Bangladesh a glimmer of hope to defend the moderate total.

Taskin got the better of Will Young, who hammered a century against Pakistan in the previous match, for six-ball-duck and Nahid Rana had Kane Williamson, a contemporary cricket great, caught by wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim for 5.

Mustafizur Rahman then made New Zealand three down for 72 in 16th over, by removing Devon Conway for 30.

Bangladesh sensed a chance but that was quickly shattered by the unwavering resolve of Ravindra and Latham.

When Rishad Hossain broke through with the wicket of Ravindra, New Zealand already took them on the verge of victory. 

Latham who hit three boundaries in his 76 ball-55, was trapped run out before Glenn Phillips completed the inevitable with 21 not out.
Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto hammered a 110 ball-77 to help Bangladesh post a total that not looked so intimidating, given the placid nature of the pitch. 

Bangladesh were asked to bat first after losing the toss but couldn’t make a fluent start despite the likes of Tanzid Hasan Tamim and captain Shanto, who opened the innings after Soumya Sarkar paved a way for Mahmudullah Riyad, in the crease.

Their watchful start denied Bangladesh losing any early wickets like the previous game against India. However Michael Bracewell triggered a collapse to leave Bangladesh in disarray state after the opening partnership reached 45 in ninth over.

Bracewell finished with 4-26 and was ably supported by William O’ Rourke who took 2-48, including the prized scalp of Shanto.

Bracewell began the rot by claiming Tanzid who made a run-a-ball-24 with one four and two sixes before O’Rourke grabbed the wicket of Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 13.

Miraz now failed in consecutive two matches after playing as top order batter. 

Bracewell then got the better of Towhid Hridoy who made a century in the previous match, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad for single digit figure as Bangladesh slumped to 118-5 from 45-1. 

Shanto kept waging lone battle to raise his 10th half-century from 71 balls by pushing Mitchell Santner’s length delivery to deep square leg.

He looked compact until he top-edged a delivery of O’Rourke to be perished to 77 off 110 after hitting nine boundaries.

Jaker Ali Anik and Rishad Hossain pressed hard but New Zealand bowlers were well disciplined in their approach.
Jaker who played a 68-run knock in the last innings, was trapped run out for 45 before Matt Henry got rid of Rishad for 26.

But Jaker’s knock was vital in taking the side past 200 that looked unlikely at one phase.