New Zealand Clinches Semi-Final Spot, Pakistan’s Tournament Dreams Shattered

High-stakes cricket brings plenty of drama, and the Group A encounter between New Zealand and Bangladesh at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was no different. The match not only sealed Bangladesh’s fate, but it also delivered a crushing blow to Pakistan, who watched from the sidelines as their own semi-final hopes evaporated in Rawalpindi.

Bangladesh, coming into the must-win game under intense pressure, managed a middling total of 236 for 9 after choosing to bat first. Their innings was a stop-start story—brief moments of hope, but too many batsmen falling at key moments. Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman tried to give the Tigers a fighting chance with timely wickets, but the rest of the attack faltered when it mattered most.

Rachin Ravindra Leads the Chase as Bangladesh Falters

The chase wasn’t smooth sailing for New Zealand at the start. They lost Will Young for a duck and captain Kane Williamson for just 30. The crowd sensed Bangladesh could spring a surprise. But Rachin Ravindra, displaying the cool confidence of a seasoned pro, took charge. His 112-run knock turned the tide, blunting the Bangladesh attack and anchoring a 157-run partnership with Tom Latham, who himself played a composed 55.

Even after Devon Conway was sent back at 72 for 3, Ravindra and Latham refused to panic. They rotated the strike, found gaps, and punished loose deliveries. By the time Latham lost his wicket, the game was nearly in the bag. Michael Bracewell played the supporting role as a finisher, adding an unbeaten 21 off just 19 balls, ensuring there were no late heart-stoppers for Kiwi fans.

Bangladesh’s bowlers, especially leggie Rishad Hossain, felt the pressure. Hossain’s 9.1 overs were expensive, costing 58 runs. New Zealand finally reached the target in style with 3.5 overs to spare, elation clear on their faces as they punched their ticket to the semi-finals.

For Bangladesh, the loss spelled elimination from the tournament. But the real sting was felt in Pakistan, a team that had pinned their semi-final hopes on Bangladesh pulling off a win. Already reeling from defeats to New Zealand and India, Pakistan now found themselves out of the competition—no extra games, no room for comebacks, just an early flight home.

New Zealand’s win wasn’t just about talent; it was about holding nerve in a crunch match and putting together a clinical run chase. With South Africa waiting in the semi-final, the Kiwis look every bit a side capable of going further. For Pakistan and Bangladesh, it’s back to the drawing board, left wondering how a single result undid their tournament dreams.