Champions Trophy 2024/25, BAN vs NZ 6th Match, Group A Match Preview

New Zealand is in strong form as they approach the Champions Trophy semi-finals, having won their tournament opener against Pakistan with impressive centuries from Will Young and Tom Latham. Their balanced bowling attack and effective spin options restricted Pakistan’s chase. Another victory against Bangladesh will bolster their semi-final chances, despite injuries affecting their squad. Bangladesh’s recent performance has been subpar, and they aim to revive their campaign. Key players include Towhid Hridoy, who scored his first century, and New Zealand’s versatile Glenn Phillips. The upcoming match in Rawalpindi is crucial for both teams’ ambitions in the tournament.

Overview: New Zealand Set for Semi-Final Spot

New Zealand is thriving as they approach the Champions Trophy, having completed an undefeated campaign in the tri-series against South Africa and Pakistan, whom they convincingly defeated in their opening match of the tournament.

Will Young and Tom Latham both notched centuries, helping their team post a total surpassing 300. Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke contained Pakistan during the powerplay, while their trio of spinners applied further pressure with effective bowling spells that led to an early end to the chase. It was nearly a flawless display from a team well-prepared.

A victory against familiar rivals Bangladesh in Rawalpindi would significantly boost their chances of reaching the semi-finals, an impressive feat considering they lost multiple key bowlers to injuries prior to the tournament.

Bangladesh’s ODI squad has struggled to find their rhythm over the past couple of years. Their top order, featuring Soumya Sarkar and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, both registered ducks while the team found themselves at a dismal 35 for 5 against India. They would not have approached 228 without Jaker Ali’s 68, especially after Rohit Sharma dropped him on the very first ball.

Towhid Hridoy achieved his first ODI century but was hindered by cramps towards the end of his innings. Luckily for him, the weather in Rawalpindi is expected to be cooler than in Dubai. Bangladesh will also welcome the potential return of senior player Mahmudullah, who missed the match against India due to a hamstring issue.

While Bangladesh’s bowling showed consistency against India, they require more effectiveness from Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Additional firepower from Nahid Rana, their fastest bowler, would also be beneficial. New Zealand has yet to face him, which could give Bangladesh an unexpected edge in a must-win situation to keep their Champions Trophy hopes alive.

Recent Form

Bangladesh: LLLLL (latest five completed ODIs, most recent first)
New Zealand: WWWWL

Key Players: Towhid Hridoy and Glenn Phillips

A century was overdue for the standout Towhid Hridoy. It took him over two years and 34 matches to achieve this milestone. Faced with a challenging Indian bowling side, he showcased his shot-making skills. With a hundred behind him, he has the opportunity to capitalize further, but Bangladesh will hope he can maintain his composure after suffering from cramps that affected his performance toward the end of his innings in Dubai.

Glenn Phillips is a dynamic player. His remarkable catch to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan in Karachi, where he leapt high and to his left at backward point, was a highlight of the tournament and would make even top goalkeepers envious. Beyond his exceptional fielding, Phillips’ aggressive batting lower in the order provides New Zealand with much-needed momentum at the end of their innings. He also offers off-spin bowling capabilities and can keep wickets. Is there anything he can’t do?

Team Selection: If Mahmudullah and Ravindra are Fit

Bangladesh is expected to make two adjustments to the lineup to accommodate Mahmudullah and Nahid. However, whom will they replace?

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

New Zealand opted to rest Rachin Ravindra against Pakistan after he suffered a forehead injury while fielding during the tri-series just prior to the Champions Trophy. Since then, Devon Conway has scored 97, 48, and 10 as an opener, while Young registered a century in the last match. So if New Zealand aims to reinstate Ravindra, which player will be left out?

New Zealand (predicted): 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

Weather and Pitch: Potentially Cloudy in Rawalpindi

Unlike the last international match held here—a Test against England—this time, there won’t be any industrial fans or outdoor heaters to dry the pitch. Rawalpindi generally provides a favorable batting surface, with assistance for fast bowlers if the ball remains new and gleaming. The forecast for Monday indicates cloudy conditions, with temperatures expected to fall below 20°C after sunset.

Trivia: Bangladesh’s Most Common ODI Opponents

In their last Champions Trophy encounter, Bangladesh triumphed over New Zealand in Cardiff in 2017. The head-to-head record in this competition now stands at 1-1.

New Zealand has been Bangladesh’s most frequent adversary in ODIs since 2015. New Zealand has maintained dominance in this head-to-head with 17 victories and three losses across 21 encounters.

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

Jaker and Hridoy’s 154-run partnership for the sixth wicket against India set a record for Bangladesh. The previous record for that wicket also involved Jaker, who formed a 150-run partnership with Mahmudullah in their last ODI against the West Indies in December 2024.

Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s correspondent for Bangladesh. @isam84