After beating Bangladesh by five wickets in a crucial Group A match, New Zealand has secured a spot in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-finals. The victory not only propelled the Kiwis forward but also resulted in the elimination of host and defending champions Pakistan in the opening round.
Ravindra’s Century Secures the Win
In the 47th over, New Zealand successfully chased down Bangladesh’s target of 237 runs. Rachin Ravindra played a key role, scoring an impressive 112 runs, while Tom Latham contributed a steady 55 and Devon Conway added 30. Bangladesh, batting first, finished on 236/9 in 50 overs, with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto scoring 77 and Zakir Hossain 45, but their total proved insufficient against New Zealand’s strong batting display.
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Bracewell’s Bowling Brilliance
New Zealand’s bowling, led by Michael Bracewell, was equally effective. Bracewell took four crucial wickets, keeping Bangladesh under constant pressure throughout their innings.
Semi-final Implications
With this win, both Bangladesh and Pakistan have been eliminated, while New Zealand advances to the semi-finals from Group A alongside India. To secure a place in the final, New Zealand will now face Bangladesh in the semi-final.
As hosts and reigning champions, Pakistan is left deeply disappointed by their early exit, having been unable to deliver consistent performances during the group stage.
