RAWALPINDI: Hosts of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan are knocked out of the tournament as New Zealand defeated Bangladesh on Monday (February 25) by 5 wickets to seal their spot in the semifinal. Team India have also officially qualified for semifinals of the ICC event.
Pakistan suffered a six-wicket defeat to India in Dubai on Sunday, following their 60-run loss to New Zealand in the tournament opener in Karachi. With only the top two teams—India, Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh—advancing to the semifinals, Pakistan’s slim hopes depended on Bangladesh defeating New Zealand by a large margin and then securing a win against the Tigers.
However, Monday’s outcome confirmed that India and New Zealand, each with four points, have secured their spots, as Pakistan and Bangladesh, who have only one match left against each other, cannot catch up.
Chasing 237 for victory, New Zealand shrugged off the loss of two early wickets and rode Rachin Ravindra’s classy 112 and Tom Latham’s 55 to get home in 46.1 overs.
Bangladesh earlier squandered a good start and made 236-9 in 50 overs thanks to Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 77 and Jaker Ali’s 45 after Black Caps spinner Michael Bracewell picked up 4-26.
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“We knew Bangladesh will challenge us in these conditions. Bracewell is a quality bowler. He changed his pace. The key was to pick wickets in the middle overs. The wicket was more two paced than I thought. Little bit of dew but not as much I thought. Rachin loves ICC events. Seemed he never left the game. The partnership with Tom set us up. It would be a different challenge versus India on a different wicket,” said New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner after winning the game.
“We started well today. We lost too many wickets in the middle overs. We didn’t bat properly. Was a good wicket to bat on. We needed two big partnerships. Nahid is brilliant. I am happy the way he bowled. The last two years the bowling unit has done well. I think the game vs Pakistan is an important game. Would be good to finish on a high. We need to improve as a batting and fielding side,” said Najmul Hossain Shanto, captain of Bangladesh after losing the do or die contest.
Agencies