🏏Champions Trophy 2025: BD vs NZ, 6th Match, Group A🏏

🏏Champions Trophy 2025: Bangladesh vs New Zealand, 6th Match, Group A🏏

In a high-stakes tournament like the Champions Trophy, where there's little room for error, starting with a loss can be a major setback, potentially forcing a team into must-win situations. Bangladesh now find themselves in that position after their defeat to India as they prepare to take on a formidable New Zealand team in what will be the fourth match of Group A.

Although they showed good fight in the game against India in Dubai, recovering from 35/5 to post 228 and then testing the opposition with the ball, Bangladesh can ill-afford any more slip-ups. Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali showed the way with the bat on a slow pitch after a top-order failure but Bangladesh will be keen to avoid another situation like that, hoping that that the likes of Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto give a better account of themselves. They were good with the ball, especially the slower bowlers, but better discipline in terms of line and lengths will certainly help their cause.

Unlike Bangladesh, New Zealand remained composed despite losing early wickets against Pakistan as Will Young and Tom Latham registered fine centuries, followed by a blazing half-century from Glenn Phillips, propelling them to a strong total. Their bowlers then delivered a clinical performance, with pacers and spinners working in tandem to secure a convincing victory and an early edge in the competition. Having been in Pakistan for a while and maintaining an unbeaten run since the tri-series preceding the Champions Trophy, New Zealand will be confident of extending their streak and strengthening their bid for a semifinal spot.

Big picture: New Zealand primed for semi-finals

New Zealand are in their element. They came into the Champions Trophy after an unbeaten run to the tri-series title against South Africa and Pakistan, whom they beat convincingly once again in the tournament opener.

Will Young and Tom Latham struck centuries to set up a 300-plus score before Matt Henry and Will O'Rourke stifled Pakistan in the powerplay. Their three spinners tightened the grip with impactful spells and the contest fizzled out early in the chase. It was a near-perfect performance from a well-drilled unit.

Another win against familiar opponents Bangladesh in Rawalpindi will confirm their place (and India's as well) in the semi-final, an admirable achievement after losing several frontline bowlers to injuries pre-tournament.

Bangladesh's ODI side has lost its mojo in the last couple of years. Their top order includes Soumya Sarkar and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, both of whom bagged ducks as they slumped to 35 for 5 against India. They may have not got anywhere near 228 had Jaker Ali, who made 68, not been dropped first ball by Rohit Sharma.

Towhid Hridoy made his maiden ODI century but suffered from cramps at the end of his innings. Fortunately for him, Rawalpindi will be cooler than Dubai. Bangladesh will also be buoyed by the news that their senior batter Mahmudullah is likely to play against New Zealand after missing out against India with a hamstring niggle.

Bangladesh's bowling was steady against India but they need more from the likes of Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. They could also do with more firepower in Nahid Rana, their fastest bowler. New Zealand have never faced him before, so the surprise factor could be to Bangladesh's advantage in a game they must win to keep their Champions Trophy campaign alive.

When: Monday, February 24 at 2:30 PM IST (2:00 PM Local Time)

Where: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

What to expect: The last time Rawalpindi hosted ODIs was in April 2023 when Pakistan chased down targets of 337 and 289 comfortably against New Zealand. Rawalpindi has hosted five ODIs since 2010 and there have been seven individual centuries scored here in that period. Big runs and more centuries are on the cards come the first CT fixture at this venue. Three of the five ODIs have been won by the side batting first, while one ended in a tie.

Form guide

Bangladesh: LLLLL (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)

New Zealand: WWWWL

In the spotlight: Towhid Hridoy and Glenn Phillips

A century was a long time coming for the impressive Towhid Hridoy. It has taken him more than two years, and 34 matches, to score one. He was tested by a potent Indian attack but showed off his shots. With a hundred in the bag, he has the platform to push on, but Bangladesh will hope he displays more durability after coming down with cramps and struggling for impact towards the end of his innings in Dubai.

Glenn Phillips is an electric cricketer. His catch to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan in Karachi, leaping high and to his left at backward point, is one of the moments of the tournament - an effort that would make the best goalkeepers feel envy. His fielding aside, Phillips' attacking batting down the order gives New Zealand acceleration towards the end of their innings. He is also a capable offspinner and he can keep wickets too. Is there anything Phillips can't do?

Pitch and conditions: Rawalpindi could be cloudy

This time, there will be no industrial fans and outdoor heaters to dry the pitch, as was the case ahead of the last international match - a Test against England - at this venue. Rawalpindi is generally good for batting, with a bit of help for fast bowlers as long as the ball is new and shiny. The forecast for Monday is cloudy weather with the temperature expected to drop below 20C after sunset.

Stats and trivia: Bangladesh's most frequent ODI opponents

Bangladesh beat New Zealand in their previous Champions Trophy meeting, in Cardiff in 2017. The head-to-head record in the competition thus stands at 1-1.

New Zealand have been Bangladesh's most frequent opponents in ODIs since 2015. New Zealand have dominated the head-to-head with 17 wins and three defeats in 21 matches.

Against Pakistan, Young and Latham became the second New Zealand pair to score centuries in the same match in an ICC ODI tournament. The first pair was Ravindra and Conway, who hit hundreds against England in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Jaker and Hridoy's 154-run partnership for the sixth wicket against India was a record stand for Bangladesh. The previous highest partnership for that wicket also involved Jaker, who had added 150 with Mahmudullah in Bangladesh's previous ODI, against West Indies in December 2024.

Did you know?

- In their last Champions Trophy meeting, Bangladesh defeated New Zealand by 5 wickets in Cardiff en route to their semifinal finish. They were 33/4 chasing 266 before Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah struck centuries to lead them to victory

- Tom Latham (Two 100s & four 50s), Kane Williamson (one 100 & four 50s), Will Young (one 100 & three 50s) and Devon Conway (one 100 & one 50) have good numbers against Bangladesh, with all of them averaging 50-plus.

- Daryl Mitchell has scored 201 runs in three innings against Bangladesh, including a hundred and a fifty, and is yet to be dismissed. He has also scored two hundreds in the two ODIs that he's played in Rawalpindi.

What they said:

I think traditionally it's quite a high-scoring ground so we have to be on it then with the bat, we just talk about trying to build partnerships and do that out there - Mitchell Santnerexpects a good batting pitch in Rawalpindi

Quotes

"Yeah, we've got a few plans for Bangladesh, but I think we obviously - we have to wait and see what the wicket does. If it is pretty flat I think it is probably similar stuff to what we've been operating in in Karachi. It's hitting that hard length for a long period of time and then we know they have some destructive players in their line-up as well."

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner

"(Preparation time) has to be enough. That's what the tournament gives us. That's what we are using. Yesterday was a good practice. The Islamabad Club ground has really good facilities. We had a good session. We will have a sharp session today, and we will be ready for tomorrow."

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons

Team news: What if Mahmudullah and Ravindra are fit?

Two changes are expected for Bangladesh as they look to include Mahmudullah and Nahid. Who will they replace though?

Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Soumya Sarkar, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 4 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 5 Tohwid Hridoy, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7 Jaker Ali, 8 Rishad Hossain, 9 Tanzim Hasan, 10 Taskin Ahmed, 11 Mustafizur Rahman

New Zealand rested Rachin Ravindra against Pakistan after he was struck on the forehead while fielding during the tri-series just before the Champions Trophy. Since then, Devon Conway has scored of 97, 48 and 10 as an opener while Young scored a hundred in the previous game. So if New Zealand want to bring Ravindra back, who do they leave out?

New Zealand (probable): 1 Will Young, 2 Devon Conway, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Michael Bracewell, 8 Mitchell Santner (capt), 9 Nathan Smith, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Will O'Rourke

Today's Match Prediction: Team bowling first to win the match

Scenario 1

• Bangladesh win the toss and opt to bat first.
• Powerplay: 40-50
• BAN: 260-280
• Bangladesh win the match.

Scenario 2

• New Zealand win the toss and opt to bat first.
• Powerplay: 40-50
• NZ: 280-300
• New Zealand win the match.

Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.