New Zealand and Bangladesh will lock horns in the third match of Group A at the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The match will be played on Monday (February 24) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. One of the joys of an ICC Champions Trophy tournament is that things move very quickly. Even in the group stage, lose once and your place in the semi-finals is immediately in danger – lose twice and you may as well hail a taxi straight to the airport!
That’s the situation Bangladesh are hoping to avoid after their six wicket loss to tournament-favourites India on Thursday. But this will be a very tough clash for them against the in-form New Zealand. And if Bangladesh do lose, it could mean that their final group stage match against Pakistan becomes something of a dead rubber.
New Zealand have been brilliant since arriving in Pakistan earlier this month and have won all four games in the country, all against arguably better sides than Bangladesh. There is plenty to play for when these teams meet in Rawalpindi on Monday
NZ vs BAN : Previous Performances
Bangladesh (BAN) will face New Zealand (NZ) in Match 6 of the Champions Trophy 2025 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on February 24. Bangladesh are coming off a loss at the hands of India in their first game. They were outclassed by the Indians with a margin of six wickets. On the other hand, it seemed a cakewalk for New Zealand against Pakistan in their previous game.
As mentioned, New Zealand will be eyeing their second win in the tournament after a 60-run win over defending champions Pakistan. A win over Bangladesh would bolster their chances of making it to the semifinals. On the other hand, Bangladesh are looking for redemption after a six-wicket defeat to India. They were restricted to 228/10 while batting first as India comfortably chased down the target.
It is worth noting that, if New Zealand manage to win the upcoming game, they will potentially seal their place in top two of the group. Bangladesh, after the defeat to India in the first game are in a must-win situation. A loss in the upcoming game will be an unofficial end to their tournament. The last time Bangladesh reached the semifinal of ICC’s 50-over tournaments was Champions Trophy 2017.
NZ vs BAN : Head to Head
Bangladesh have just 11 wins in 45 ODIs against the Kiwis. While 33 encounters have landed in NZ’s favor, one game got washed out. The Tigers boast just two ODI series victories over NZ, both at home (2010 and 2013). Meanwhile, Bangladesh defeated New Zealand in their previous meeting in the Champions Trophy, in the 2017 edition. Overall, the head-to-head record is 1-1 in the championship.
| Matches Played | 45 |
| Won by New Zealand | 33 |
| Won by Bangladesh | 11 |
| Tied | 0 |
| No Result | 01 |
| First-ever Fixture | April 28, 1990 |
| Most-recent Fixture | December 23, 2023 |
NZ vs BAN : Pitch Report
The pitch at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium has historically been a good one for batting. The even pace and bounce of the track allows the batters to play their shots freely and get full value for their shots. However, the pacers might be effective on this track as they might get a bit of help with the new ball.
This will be the first match of the ongoing Champions Trophy in Rawalpindi. The deck has good bounce and carry and it will aid the batters well who will enjoy batting. The pacers will get some movement at the start with the new ball. Spinners might have very little say on this ground.
In the 25 ODI matches that has been played here, 11 has been won by the team batting, while 14 by the team chasing. So, the stats suggest that even though the track has slightly favoured the chasing team, the toss has not played a major role in deciding the fate of the game. It will be interesting to see what the captain winning the toss decides to do on this pitch.
The last time Rawalpindi hosted ODIs was in April 2023 when Pakistan chased down targets of 337 and 289 comfortably against New Zealand. Rawalpindi has hosted five ODIs since 2010 and there have been seven individual centuries scored here in that period. Big runs and more centuries are on the cards come the first CT fixture at this venue. Three of the five ODIs have been won by the side batting first, while one ended in a tie.
This has always been a good batting strip in Rawalpindi and it would be a surprise if the team batting first did not post a total of at least 330. Expect good pace, bounce and carry. Although this will be the first ODI in Rawalpindi for nearly two years, four of the last five have been won by the team chasing.
This time, there will be no industrial fans and outdoor heaters to dry the pitch, as was the case ahead of the last international match – a Test against England – at this venue. Rawalpindi is generally good for batting, with a bit of help for fast bowlers as long as the ball is new and shiny. The forecast for Monday is cloudy weather with the temperature expected to drop below 20C after sunset.
Therefore, our prediction is that both captains will be looking to bowl first on Monday. The forecast is for a cloudy day throughout Monday in Rawalpindi with the temperature beginning at 18 degrees. It may get up to 23 at some stage before dipping back down to around 18 by the close.
NZ vs BAN : Big Picture : New Zealand primed for semi-finals
New Zealand are in their element. They came into the Champions Trophy after an unbeaten run to the tri-series title against South Africa and Pakistan, whom they beat convincingly once again in the tournament opener.
Will Young and Tom Latham struck centuries to set up a 300-plus score before Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke stifled Pakistan in the powerplay. Their three spinners tightened the grip with impactful spells and the contest fizzled out early in the chase. It was a near-perfect performance from a well-drilled unit.
Another win against familiar opponents Bangladesh in Rawalpindi will confirm their place (and India’s as well) in the semi-final, an admirable achievement after losing several frontline bowlers to injuries pre-tournament.
Bangladesh’s ODI side has lost its mojo in the last couple of years. Their top order includes Soumya Sarkar and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, both of whom bagged ducks as they slumped to 35 for 5 against India. They may have not got anywhere near 228 had Jaker Ali, who made 68, not been dropped first ball by Rohit Sharma.
Towhid Hridoy made his maiden ODI century but suffered from cramps at the end of his innings. Fortunately for him, Rawalpindi will be cooler than Dubai. Bangladesh will also be buoyed by the news that their senior batter Mahmudullah is likely to play against New Zealand after missing out against India with a hamstring niggle.
Bangladesh’s bowling was steady against India but they need more from the likes of Taskin Ahmed, Rishad Hossain and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. They could also do with more firepower in Nahid Rana, their fastest bowler. New Zealand have never faced him before, so the surprise factor could be to Bangladesh’s advantage in a game they must win to keep their Champions Trophy campaign alive.
In a high-stakes tournament like the Champions Trophy, where there’s little room for error, starting with a loss can be a major setback, potentially forcing a team into must-win situations. Bangladesh now find themselves in that position after their defeat to India as they prepare to take on a formidable New Zealand team in what will be the fourth match of Group A.
Having been in Pakistan for a while and maintaining an unbeaten run since the tri-series preceding the Champions Trophy, New Zealand will be confident of extending their streak and strengthening their bid for a semifinal spot.
NZ vs BAN : Players in the spotlight : Towhid Hridoy and Glenn Phillips
A century was a long time coming for the impressive Towhid Hridoy. It has taken him more than two years, and 34 matches, to score one. He was tested by a potent Indian attack but showed off his shots. With a hundred in the bag, he has the platform to push on, but Bangladesh will hope he displays more durability after coming down with cramps and struggling for impact towards the end of his innings in Dubai.
Glenn Phillips is an electric cricketer. His catch to dismiss Mohammad Rizwan in Karachi, leaping high and to his left at backward point, is one of the moments of the tournament – an effort that would make the best goalkeepers feel envy. His fielding aside, Phillips’ attacking batting down the order gives New Zealand acceleration towards the end of their innings. He is also a capable offspinner and he can keep wickets too. Is there anything Phillips can’t do.
NZ vs BAN : Vital Stats that matters
- Bangladesh beat New Zealand in their previous Champions Trophy meeting, in Cardiff in 2017. The head-to-head record in the competition thus stands at 1-1.
- New Zealand have been Bangladesh’s most frequent opponents in ODIs since 2015. New Zealand have dominated the head-to-head with 17 wins and three defeats in 21 matches.
- Against Pakistan, Young and Latham became the second New Zealand pair to score centuries in the same match in an ICC ODI tournament. The first pair was Ravindra and Conway, who hit hundreds against England in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
- Jaker and Hridoy’s 154-run partnership for the sixth wicket against India was a record stand for Bangladesh. The previous highest partnership for that wicket also involved Jaker, who had added 150 with Mahmudullah in Bangladesh’s previous ODI, against West Indies in December 2024.
- In their last Champions Trophy meeting, Bangladesh defeated New Zealand by 5 wickets in Cardiff en route to their semifinal finish. They were 33/4 chasing 266 before Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah struck centuries to lead them to victory
- Tom Latham (Two 100s & four 50s), Kane Williamson (one 100 & four 50s), Will Young (one 100 & three 50s) and Devon Conway (one 100 & one 50) have good numbers against Bangladesh, with all of them averaging 50-plus.
- Daryl Mitchell has scored 201 runs in three innings against Bangladesh, including a hundred and a fifty, and is yet to be dismissed. He has also scored two hundreds in the two ODIs that he’s played in Rawalpindi.
- Bangladesh have lost their last five ODIs.
- New Zealand are targeting a fifth successive victory in this format.
- Bangladesh won the last head to head in this format but New Zealand won the previous 12!
NZ vs BAN : Team News for NZ and BAN
Bangladesh :
After finding themselves 35/5 inside nine overs in their opening game against India, Bangladesh could have been forgiven for throwing the towel in and getting the game over and done with at the earliest opportunity. But instead, they showed admirable tenacity and resolve to rebuild the innings and posted 228 all out which kept them in the game.
Crucial to the rebuild were Towhid Hridoy (100 runs from 118 balls) and Jaker Ali (68 runs from 114 balls) but in this game against New Zealand, the Tigers need the top four of Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz to step up. Crucially, the latter three have all done it on the big stage before so there is some hope!
With the ball, spinners Rishad Hossain and Miraz were both treated with respect by the Indian batters and they should be a threat again in this fixture. As will the pacers Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman, both of who have the ability to knock over the best in the world. Mahmudullah missed Bangladesh’s opening game with a calf muscle issue and a call on his availability for the New Zealand match will be taken after their final practice session.
Should he be fit, Mushfiqur Rahim could make way while Jaker Ali could keep wickets. Meanwhile, Towhid Hridoy, who suffered cramps in the India game, is fully fit. Bangladesh could also look at the inclusion of express fast bowler Nahid Rana, who bowled well in Bangladesh’s Test series win against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, in place of Tanzim Hasan Sakib.
Bangladesh Predicted Playing XI: Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk.), Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman
New Zealand :
The greatest surprise from New Zealand’s convincing victory over hosts and reigning champions Pakistan in Karachi on Wednesday was that anyone was in anyway surprised! The Black Caps not only regularly turn-up at these marquee ICC events but have also been playing excellent cricket, while winning all their games, since arriving in Pakistan at the start of the month.
A problem for all teams against Mitchell Santner’s side is that all of their batters have now made big scores over the duration of this tour. And if that wasn’t a problem, Rachin Ravindra will soon be fit to push his claims in the batting line-up as well. Will Young and Tom Latham both come into this match after hitting centuries on Wednesday.
New Zealand rested Rachin Ravindra against Pakistan after he was struck on the forehead while fielding during the tri-series just before the Champions Trophy. Since then, Devon Conway has scored of 97, 48 and 10 as an opener while Young scored a hundred in the previous game. So if New Zealand want to bring Ravindra back, who do they leave out
Mitchell Santner’s team went without Rachin Ravindra for the opening game as the left-hander was recovering from a forehead injury sustained during the tri-series. New Zealand could go in with the same team even if Ravindra has made sufficient recovery. Matt Henry continues to be one of the most consistently top performing pace bowlers in world cricket and Will O’Rourke is not far behind with his bounce causing particular issues. New Zealand also have excellent spin options in Michael Bracewell and captain Santner!
New Zealand Predicted Playing 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
NZ vs BAN Fantasy Playing XI : Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Daryl Mitchell, Towhid Hridoy, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, Rishad Hossain, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, William O’Rourke
NZ vs BAN : Probable Best Performers
Probable Best Batter: Tom Latham
Tom Latham was resilient in New Zealand’s last game against Pakistan. The southpaw scored a brilliant century. He smashed 118* off 104 balls and with this New Zealand posted a challenging total.
Probable Best Bowler: William O’Rourke
The right-arm pacer cut through the top order of Pakistan in the first game. He claimed three scalps bowling nine overs, giving away 47 runs.
NZ vs BAN : Match Prediction
Scenario 1
- Bangladesh win the toss and opt to bat first.
- Powerplay: 40-50
- BAN: 260-280
- Bangladesh win the match.
Scenario 2
- New Zealand win the toss and opt to bat first.
- Powerplay: 40-50
- NZ: 280-300
- New Zealand win the match.
After years of being the plucky underdogs, Bangladesh have struggled to make the step-up to being genuine contenders in these tournaments. We do not think they have enough depth with either bat or ball to test the Black Caps and we expect to see another victory for New Zealand. We are backing New Zealand to win but with their recent record versus NZ in ICC tournaments Bangladesh cant be taken lightly to.