New Zealand sealed their place in the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-finals with a win over Bangladesh in Rawalpindi today (February 24), and eliminated Pakistan from the competition in the process.
It was a largely comfortable win for New Zealand, despite the best efforts of Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto - who scored 77 as his side batted first. Bangladesh were only able to set New Zealand a target of 237 after Michael Bracewell took career-best ODI figures of 4-26. He dismissed Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah to dismantle Bangladesh's top order.
In response, New Zealand were briefly unsettled when centurion from their opening match of the tournament, Will Young, was bowled for a duck in the first over by Taskin Ahmed. Kane Williamson was then also sent back to the dressing room before the end of the fourth over, leaving New Zealand stumbling at 15-2.
However, Rachin Ravindra, batting at No.4 for the first time in his ODI career, stabalised their innings and scored a fourth century in his still fledgling career in the format. He was helped in guiding New Zealand towards their target by Tom Latham, who made his third consecutive 50 plus score with 55 off 76 balls.
New Zealand have defeated Bangladesh and secured their spot in the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) February 24, 2025
Rachin Ravindra starred with a match-winning century for the Blackcaps.#BANvsNZ #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/F4MB6vqmdl
Both Latham and Ravindra were dismissed before the end of the chase, leaving Glenn Phillips and Bracewell to guide them to their target. Bracewell hit the winning runs with a four with 23 balls still to spare.
The result means New Zealand overtake India on NRR at the top of group A, while Pakistan and Bangladesh are both eliminated from the competition. Pakistan are sitting in bottom place, despite Bangladesh also having not yet scored a point, with the hosts' NRR significantly worse.
Updated Champions Trophy 2025 standings after New Zealand beat Bangladesh
Group A
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | N/R | Tied | Points | NRR |
| New Zealand | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +0.863 |
| India | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | +0.647 |
| Bangladesh | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -0.443 |
| Pakistan | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1.087 |
Group B
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | N/R | Tied | Points | NRR |
| South Africa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | +2.140 |
| Australia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | +0.475 |
| England | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -0.475 |
| Afghanistan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -2.140 |
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