New Zealand is in top form. They entered the Champions Trophy with confidence after winning the tri-series against South Africa and Pakistan. In their opening game, they defeated Pakistan convincingly.
- New Zealand is unbeaten in the tournament.
- Bangladesh must win to keep their campaign alive.
- The match will take place in Rawalpindi under cloudy conditions.
Will Young and Tom Latham played outstanding innings, both scoring centuries. Their partnership helped New Zealand post a strong total. Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke then restricted Pakistan with tight bowling.
New Zealand’s spinners played a crucial role. They controlled the middle overs and ensured Pakistan never recovered. Their bowling attack, despite injuries, looks well-balanced and effective.
A win against Bangladesh will put New Zealand closer to the semi-finals. This is a remarkable achievement considering they lost key bowlers before the tournament. Bangladesh, however, faces a tough challenge after a series of poor performances.
Bangladesh’s Struggles in ODIs
Bangladesh’s recent ODI form is worrying. They have lost their last five matches. Their batting lineup collapsed against India, managing only 35 for 5 at one stage.
Jaker Ali was lucky to survive a dropped catch before scoring 68 runs. Towhid Hridoy scored his first ODI century but struggled with cramps. The cooler weather in Rawalpindi might help him perform better.
Mahmudullah’s return could strengthen Bangladesh’s batting. He missed the last game due to a hamstring injury but is likely to play against New Zealand.
Bangladesh’s Bowling Concerns
Bangladesh’s bowling was steady against India. However, they need more from Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hossain, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Their fastest bowler, Nahid Rana, could be an asset. New Zealand has never faced him before, which may work in Bangladesh’s favor.
Form Guide (Last Five ODIs)
- Bangladesh: L L L L L
- New Zealand: W W W W L
Players to Watch
Towhid Hridoy: He finally scored a century after two years and 34 matches. His batting will be crucial for Bangladesh.
Glenn Phillips: A dynamic cricketer, Phillips contributes in multiple ways. His fielding, batting, and off-spin bowling make him a key player for New Zealand.
Team News and Possible Lineups
Bangladesh (Probable XI):
- Tanzid Hasan
- Soumya Sarkar
- Najmul Hossain Shanto (C)
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz
- Towhid Hridoy
- Mushfiqur Rahim (WK)
- Jaker Ali
- Rishad Hossain
- Tanzim Hasan
- Taskin Ahmed
- Mustafizur Rahman
New Zealand (Probable XI):
- Will Young
- Devon Conway
- Kane Williamson
- Daryl Mitchell
- Tom Latham (WK)
- Glenn Phillips
- Michael Bracewell
- Mitchell Santner (C)
- Nathan Smith
- Matt Henry
- Will O’Rourke
Pitch and Conditions in Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi’s pitch favors batters, but early swing may help fast bowlers. Unlike previous matches, there won’t be artificial drying methods. The weather forecast predicts cloudy conditions, with temperatures dropping below 20°C after sunset.
Key Stats and Trivia
- Bangladesh defeated New Zealand in their last Champions Trophy match in 2017.
- New Zealand has dominated their ODI meetings since 2015, winning 17 out of 21 games.
- Young and Latham became the second New Zealand pair to score centuries in the same ICC ODI tournament match.
- Jaker and Hridoy set a record sixth-wicket partnership for Bangladesh against India, scoring 154 runs together.
New Zealand is well-positioned to secure a semi-final spot. Bangladesh, on the other hand, must win to stay in the competition. With both teams having strengths and weaknesses, this match promises to be an exciting contest.
Check out the Champions Trophy Stats
