New Zealand Beats Bangladesh to Qualify for the Semi-Final of the 2025 Champions Trophy

New Zealand confirms its semi-final spot in the 2025 Champions Trophy with a comprehensive win against Bangladesh. The Kiwis are going strong in the tournament and are favorites to win the title. India also qualified for the semi-final after their victories in the first two matches while Pakistan and Bangladesh were knocked out from the tournament.

Toss

Mitchell Santner, the Kiwi skipper, won the toss and decided to field first.

Promising start by the Tigers but the Middle Order Fails

The skipper, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and Tanzid Hassan made a good start, scoring freely and making sure they didn’t give away the wickets easily. They provided a 45-run start, with Hasan getting out after scoring a quick 24.

The wicket of Hasan started a chain reaction, with wickets going down one after another. Though Shanto was batting brilliantly at one end, the other had no permanent batter. They were soon down to 116 for 5 in 26 overs, with Shanto and Jaker Ali at the crease. Jaker Ali’s 45 and Rishad Hossain's 26 ensured Bangladesh set a target of 237.

Michael Bracewell was brilliant with the ball in hand, taking four important wickets in the middle overs. Will O’Rourke dismissed two batsmen as well.

Early Scare for New Zealand

New Zealand started the innings as favorites to win the match. However, things didn’t go as planned at the top, as Will Young was dismissed in the first over while star batter, Kane Williamson, edged to keeper with just 15 on board for the Kiwis.

Bracewell’s 4-wicket spell was the match-defining moment for New Zealand

But cometh the hour, cometh the man as Rachin Ravindra, the star of the 2023 ODI World Cup for New Zealand, took matters in hand and played a brilliant innings. He first partnered with Conway and then Tom Latham, ensuring that New Zealand reached the target comfortably, scoring a brilliant century.

Player of the Match

Michael Bracewell’s brilliant all-round performance (4 wickets and 11 runs) earned him the Man of the Match award.