WEBDESK: In an ICC Champions Trophy match with plenty on the line, Bangladesh vs New Zealand will take place on Monday at the Rawalpindi cricket stadium.
Bangladesh need a win to keep their hopes alive whereas New Zealand will be looking to book their place in the semi-finals of the tournament.
The Bangladesh vs New Zealand game could have wider implications for Group A as well. If Bangladesh beat New Zealand in the game by a comfortable margin, this would open up a potential semi-final route for the Pakistan team as well, provided that other results go in their favour as well.
Recent form
Bangladesh: Their loss to India in the opening game of the Champions Trophy was the first One Day International (ODI) that they had played since December last year. Their last outing before the tournament, a 3-0 loss to West Indies, shows that the Bangladesh ODI team is not in very good form. To win the Bangladesh vs New Zealand game, they will have to be in top form.
New Zealand: The Kiwis have played 7 ODI’s this year winning 6 of them. Their only loss came to Sri Lanka in January, a series that they still managed to win 2-1. Since then, they haven’t put a foot wrong – they won the tri-series in Pakistan in convincing fashion and then defeated Pakistan in the opening game of the Champions Trophy by a comfortable margin.
Squads
Bangladesh: Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, MD Mahmud Ullah, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Parvez Hossain Emon, Nasum Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nahid Rana
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young, Jacob Duffy
Player Spotlight
Bangladesh: Nazmul Hossain Shanto
The Tigers’ captain failed to score big against India, removed for a second-ball duck. Bangladesh will need to score big runs to threaten the Kiwis with strong, early foundations with the bat, whether it’s in the first or second innings.
Nazmul Hossain Shanto is Bangladesh’s top-ranked ODI batter, at 26th, off the back of some productive scores in 2024. He’ll be desperate to put together a strong innings in the Bangladesh vs New Zealand game.
New Zealand: Mitchell Santner
The New Zealand skipper will have an important job with the ball, coming off his 3/66 against Pakistan the other day.
The quality of New Zealand’s batting was on full display in the Champions Trophy opener, with two hitters reaching three figures and Glenn Phillips belting 61 off 39 balls. On top of that, there’s Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell, so there’s immense depth in the lineup.
The Kiwis’ path to victory in the Bangladesh vs New Zealand game is bowling well and Santer will play a crucial role both with his field placements and then when he comes in to bowl.
Read more: Sarfaraz recalls Pakistan’s 2017 Champions Trophy win before match against India
