Bangladesh vs New Zealand: Bracewell’s Magic & Shanto’s Fight – A Champions Trophy 2025 Thriller

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is heating up, and on February 24, cricket fans were treated to an exciting showdown between Bangladesh and New Zealand at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. With both teams vying for a spot in the semifinals, the match carried immense significance.

Let’s break down the game, the key performances, and what it means for the tournament going forward.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on  February 24, cricket fans were treated to an exciting showdown between Bangladesh and New Zealand at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

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The Toss & Team Strategies

New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to field first, taking advantage of Rawalpindi’s reputation for favoring teams that chase.

For the Black Caps, the big news was the return of Kyle Jamieson, who was playing his first major tournament match after a long injury layoff. His inclusion strengthened New Zealand’s already impressive bowling attack.

Meanwhile, Najmul Hossain Shanto, leading Bangladesh, made some adjustments to his side, bringing in Mahmudullah to add depth to both the batting and bowling lineup.

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Bangladesh’s Batting: A Lone Fight from the Captain

Bangladesh’s innings started with openers Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto. While Tanzid looked aggressive early on, he fell to Michael Bracewell in just the fifth over for 13 runs, setting the stage for a tough batting day.

Bracewell turned out to be Bangladesh’s biggest problem, spinning a web around their middle order. The wickets kept tumbling, making it difficult for the team to build momentum.

However, amidst the struggle, Najmul Hossain Shanto stood tall. The captain led from the front, scoring a brilliant 78 off 95 balls, showcasing patience, composure, and well-timed aggression. It was his 10th ODI half-century, proving once again why he is such a crucial player for Bangladesh.

But Shanto lacked solid partnerships. With wickets falling at the other end, Bangladesh couldn’t build the kind of score they would have hoped for.

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Michael Bracewell’s Magic Spell

The star of the first innings was undoubtedly Michael Bracewell.

The New Zealand spinner produced a career-best performance, taking 4 wickets for just 25 runs. His spell was the turning point of the match, as he dismantled Bangladesh’s lineup one by one.

Bracewell also broke records, surpassing Daniel Vettori for the best-ever figures by a New Zealand spinner in Champions Trophy history.

Some of his most crucial wickets included:
✅ Tanzid Hasan, the aggressive opener
✅ Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh’s most experienced all-rounder
✅ Mushfiqur Rahim, the team’s dependable wicketkeeper-batsman
✅ Mehidy Hasan Miraz, another key middle-order player

By the time he was done, Bangladesh was reeling under pressure, struggling to post a competitive total.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on  February 24, cricket fans were treated to an exciting showdown between Bangladesh and New Zealand at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

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A Late Fightback & Bangladesh’s Final Score

Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Bangladesh still managed to grind out a total of 236/9 in 50 overs.

Lower-order contributions from Mahmudullah and Taskin Ahmed helped push the score past 230, giving the team a fighting chance.

New Zealand, on the other hand, was sharp in the field. One of the highlights was Bracewell’s incredible diving catch to dismiss Mahmudullah, showing just how electric the Kiwis were on the field.

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What’s at Stake?

The result of this match carries huge implications for the tournament:

➡️ If New Zealand wins, they confirm their place in the semifinals, alongside India. This would also knock out both Bangladesh and Pakistan from the tournament.

➡️ If Bangladesh wins, they keep their semifinal hopes alive and set up an intense battle in the remaining group-stage matches.

The pressure is now on both teams to deliver when it matters most.

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Looking Ahead

As we head toward the business end of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, every game is becoming more and more crucial.

New Zealand has looked like a well-oiled machine so far, while Bangladesh has shown flashes of brilliance but needs consistency to make it to the next round.

With cricket fans around the world glued to their screens, one thing is for sure—this tournament is far from predictable, and anything can happen in the coming matches!

What do you think?

• Can Bangladesh stage a comeback?
• Will New Zealand continue their winning momentum?

Drop your thoughts in the comments below! 👇🏏🔥

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What was the result of the Bangladesh vs. New Zealand match on February 24, 2025?

New Zealand won the match, thanks to Michael Bracewell's exceptional bowling performance and Bangladesh's inability to build strong partnerships despite Najmul Hossain Shanto's fighting 78.

Who was the standout performer in the match?

Michael Bracewell was the standout performer, taking 4 wickets for 25 runs, which included key dismissals like Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim.

What was Najmul Hossain Shanto's contribution to the match?

Najmul Hossain Shanto scored a brilliant 78 off 95 balls, showcasing patience and composure, but lacked support from other batsmen to build a competitive total.

Why did New Zealand choose to field first?

New Zealand opted to field first to take advantage of Rawalpindi's pitch conditions, which are known to favor teams chasing a target.

What records did Michael Bracewell break in this match?

Michael Bracewell broke Daniel Vettori's record for the best-ever figures by a New Zealand spinner in Champions Trophy history, with 4 wickets for 25 runs.

What was Bangladesh's final score in the match?

Bangladesh scored 236/9 in 50 overs, thanks to contributions from Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mahmudullah, and Taskin Ahmed.

What are the implications of this match for the tournament?

New Zealand's win confirms their place in the semifinals, while Bangladesh's loss puts their semifinal hopes in jeopardy. It also eliminates Pakistan from the tournament.

Who returned to New Zealand's lineup for this match?

Kyle Jamieson returned to New Zealand's lineup after a long injury layoff, strengthening their bowling attack.

What was the turning point of the match?

The turning point was Michael Bracewell's spell, where he took 4 wickets, dismantling Bangladesh's middle order and restricting their total.

What does this match mean for Bangladesh's semifinal chances?

Bangladesh's loss makes their path to the semifinals difficult, as they now need to win their remaining matches and rely on other results to qualify.