Bangladesh vs New Zealand, 6th Match, Group A : New Zealand won by 5 wkts

Bangladesh find themselves in a tough spot after their defeat to India in the Champions Trophy opener, leaving them with little margin for error as they prepare to face a strong New Zealand side in the fourth Group A match. With a short tournament format, an early loss can prove costly, potentially forcing a team into must-win situations.  

Despite a spirited fightback against India in Dubai—recovering from 35/5 to post 228 and making the opposition work hard for the chase—Bangladesh cannot afford further slip-ups. Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali provided stability with the bat on a sluggish surface, but the team will hope for a stronger showing from Soumya Sarkar, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto to avoid another top-order collapse. Their bowling unit, particularly the slower bowlers, performed well, but improved discipline in line and length will be crucial.  

New Zealand, in contrast, showed composure after early setbacks against Pakistan. Will Young and Tom Latham struck impressive centuries, while Glenn Phillips' quickfire fifty propelled them to a commanding total. Their bowlers then executed a clinical performance, combining pace and spin effectively to secure a dominant win. Having adapted well to conditions in Pakistan and maintaining an unbeaten run since the preceding tri-series, New Zealand will be confident of extending their momentum and strengthening their semifinal bid.  

*Match Details:*  
- Date & Time: Monday, February 24 at 2:30 PM IST (2:00 PM Local Time)  
- Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium  
- Pitch & Conditions: Rawalpindi last hosted ODIs in April 2023, where Pakistan comfortably chased targets of 337 and 289 against New Zealand. The venue has seen seven centuries in five ODIs since 2010, suggesting a batting-friendly surface. Three of the five ODIs have been won by the team batting first, with one ending in a tie.  

Team Updates  

Bangladesh:
Mahmudullah, who missed the opener due to a calf injury, will undergo a fitness assessment before the match. If fit, he could replace Mushfiqur Rahim, with Jaker Ali continuing as the wicketkeeper. Towhid Hridoy has recovered from cramps sustained in the India match. Bangladesh may also consider bringing in express pacer Nahid Rana, who impressed in their Test series win over Pakistan in Rawalpindi, as a replacement for Tanzim Hasan Sakib.  

Probable XI: Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim/Mahmudullah, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib/Nahid Rana, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman  

New Zealand:
Rachin Ravindra was unavailable for the first game due to a forehead injury, but even if he recovers, New Zealand might stick with the same XI.  

Probable XI: Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, William O’Rourke