The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has already delivered major surprises, with Pakistan and Bangladesh officially eliminated from the tournament. The latest match between New Zealand and Bangladesh, held at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, saw the Kiwis secure a 5-wicket victory, knocking both the hosts and Bangladesh out of the competition.
This unexpected turn of events has left Pakistan’s campaign in ruins, marking a rare instance where a host nation has failed to make it past the group stage in an ICC tournament. Bangladesh, despite putting up a fight, also couldn’t make the cut. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the match and its implications.
Match Summary: New Zealand vs Bangladesh, 6th Match (Group A)
Match Details:
- Teams: 🇧🇩 Bangladesh vs 🇳🇿 New Zealand
- Tournament: ICC Champions Trophy 2025
- Match: 6th Match, Group A
- Date: Monday, February 24, 2025
- Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan
- Toss: New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl
Bangladesh’s Innings: 236/9 (50 Overs)
Batting first, Bangladesh posted a competitive total of 236/9 in their allotted 50 overs. The batting lineup struggled, with wickets falling at regular intervals. However, Najmul Hossain Shanto’s composed 77 off 110 balls helped stabilize the innings. Jaker Ali contributed with a crucial 45 off 55 balls, ensuring Bangladesh had something to defend.
Top Performers (Bangladesh Batting):
- Najmul Hossain Shanto: 77 (110)
- Jaker Ali: 45 (55)
New Zealand’s Best Bowlers:
- Michael Bracewell: 10-0-26-4
- William O’Rourke: 10-0-48-2
Fall of Wickets (Bangladesh):
- 45-1 (Tanzid Hasan, 8.2)
- 64-2 (Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 11.6)
- 97-3 (Towhid Hridoy, 20.3)
- 106-4 (Mushfiqur Rahim, 22.5)
- 118-5 (Mahmudullah, 26.1)
- 163-6 (Najmul Hossain Shanto, 37.2)
- 196-7 (Rishad Hossain, 43.1)
- 231-8 (Jaker Ali, 48.1)
- 236-9 (Taskin Ahmed, 49.2)
Despite Michael Bracewell’s brilliant spell of 4 wickets for 26 runs in 10 overs, Bangladesh managed to reach 236, giving themselves a fighting chance.
New Zealand’s Chase: 240/5 (46.1 Overs)
New Zealand chased the target with ease, thanks to a match-winning century by Rachin Ravindra (112 off 105 balls) and Tom Latham’s steady 55 off 76 balls. They lost early wickets but managed to rebuild and cruise to victory with 23 balls to spare.
Top Performers (New Zealand Batting):
- Rachin Ravindra: 112 (105)
- Tom Latham: 55 (76)
- Devon Conway: 30 (45)
- Glenn Phillips: 21 (28)
Fall of Wickets (New Zealand):
- 0-1 (Will Young, 0.6)
- 15-2 (Kane Williamson, 3.3)
- 72-3 (Devon Conway, 15.4)
- 201-4 (Rachin Ravindra, 38.2)
- 214-5 (Tom Latham, 41.4)
With Rachin Ravindra leading the charge, New Zealand reached 240/5 in 46.1 overs, sealing a 5-wicket victory and ensuring their spot in the next stage.
Player of the Match:
🏆 Michael Bracewell (10-0-26-4)
Pakistan & Bangladesh Eliminated – A Rare ICC Tournament Scenario
The result of this match confirmed the exit of both Bangladesh and hosts Pakistan from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This is a rare scenario in ICC tournaments, as host nations usually perform well or at least make it to the knockout stages.
Why Is This Elimination So Significant?
- Host Nation Eliminated Early:
- Pakistan’s early exit is a major disappointment for home fans. Hosting an ICC event comes with high expectations, but Pakistan failed to capitalize on home advantage.
- Bangladesh’s Struggles in ICC Events Continue:
- Despite a fighting total against New Zealand, Bangladesh once again failed to progress beyond the group stage, reflecting their ongoing struggles in global tournaments.
- Changing Trends in ICC Tournaments:
- In the last decade, host nations have generally performed well in ICC events:
- 2011 (India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh): India won the World Cup.
- 2015 (Australia, New Zealand): Australia won the World Cup.
- 2019 (England): England won the World Cup.
- 2023 (India): India reached the final.
- Pakistan’s elimination breaks this trend, making it one of the rare host teams to exit so early.
- In the last decade, host nations have generally performed well in ICC events:
What’s Next in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
With New Zealand’s victory, the competition intensifies as teams battle for semifinal spots. Pakistan and Bangladesh’s elimination means that Group A is now a three-team race with New Zealand progressing. The tournament’s knockout stages promise to be exciting, with strong teams like India, England, and Australia still in contention.
Conclusion: A Tournament Full of Surprises
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has already delivered shocking results, with Pakistan and Bangladesh crashing out early. New Zealand’s dominant performance against Bangladesh ensures their progress, while Rachin Ravindra’s century and Bracewell’s bowling masterclass stole the show.
With the knockout stages approaching, fans can expect even more thrilling encounters in this unpredictable tournament. Can the remaining teams rise to the challenge and claim the prestigious title? Only time will tell!
Stay tuned for more updates on ICC Champions Trophy 2025!
Also Read: Virat Kohli’s Masterclass Leads India to a Dominant 6-Wicket Victory Over Pakistan
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