New Zealand defeat Bangladesh and reach Champions Trophy semis

Bangladesh 236-9 (50 overs)
New Zealand 240-5 (46.1 overs)

Rachin Ravindra’s superb century guided New Zealand into the Champions Trophy semi-finals with a comfortable five-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Rawalpindi.

Author - Michael Haldsworth

Back in the side after missing the opening win against Pakistan due to concussion, Ravindra played a classy knock of 112 off 105 balls, steering the Black Caps to their modest target of 237 with 3.5 overs to spare.

The chase didn’t start smoothly—Will Young was bowled by Taskin Ahmed in the first over, and Kane Williamson fell cheaply for five during a fiery spell from Bangladesh’s seamers. But Ravindra, alongside Devon Conway (30), steadied the innings with a composed 57-run stand for the third wicket.

Ravindra’s departure, with just 36 runs needed, ended a 129-run partnership with Tom Latham, who contributed a crucial 55. Their stand effectively sealed the win, knocking both Bangladesh and hosts Pakistan out of the tournament while confirming India’s progression from Group A.

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Bangladesh fail to capitalise on promising start

Bangladesh will regret a wasteful batting display that saw eight of their nine dismissals come from mistimed shots into the outfield. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (77) and Jaker Ali (45) were the only ones to offer real resistance.

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They looked steady at 58-1 after 10 overs but crumbled from 97-2 to 118-5 as Michael Bracewell ripped through the middle order. The off-spinner claimed career-best ODI figures of 4-26, maintaining relentless accuracy and exploiting Bangladesh’s inability to rotate the strike.

The 34-year-old started the collapse by removing Tanzid Hasan for 24, before dismissing Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah—each falling to loose strokes under pressure.

Shanto and Ali did their best to salvage a competitive total, but without support, Bangladesh struggled to build momentum. Their bowling attack also lacked penetration once the new-ball swing wore off, allowing New Zealand’s batters to settle.

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Ravindra’s inclusion came due to Daryl Mitchell’s illness, but his commanding innings at No. 4 has given the selectors a welcome headache. Walking in at 15-2, he mixed elegance with aggression, striking 12 fours and a six, making the most of a missed run-out chance on 25 and two dropped catches on 93 and 105.

Latham, fresh from his century against Pakistan, provided the perfect foil, as the duo expertly rotated the strike and prevented Bangladesh’s bowlers from finding any rhythm—something Bracewell had done so effectively earlier in the game.

With a semi-final spot secured, New Zealand’s final group-stage clash against India will determine who tops the group—a high-stakes showdown that will offer the first real test for both unbeaten sides.