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New Zealand got the better of Bangladesh by five wickets at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday, February 24 to make it to Champions Trophy 2025 semifinals. New Zealand's win also meant India are officially into the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinals while Pakistan and Bangladesh's campaign in the tournament has finally came to an end.
Pakistan's hopes of reaching the Champions Trophy semi-finals rested on a highly improbable scenario: Bangladesh defeating the in-form New Zealand team after Pakistan's own loss to India in a crucial match in Dubai. However, given New Zealand's strong performance and current form, an upset was considered highly unlikely. True to expectations, New Zealand delivered a dominant performance and rode on Rachin Ravindra's robust century to chase down Bangladesh's 237-run target without breaking a sweat, quashing any remaining hopes for Pakistan.
The semi-final match schedule for the Champions Trophy 2025 has been confirmed. India will compete in their semi-final at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 4. New Zealand's semi-final match will take place the following day, March 5, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Mitchell Santer warns India ahead of Champions Trophy encounter
Meanwhile India and New Zealand will meet each other in their last-league match on March 2 in a dress rehearsal for the Champions Trophy semifinal. And right ahead of the high-octane encounter, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has cautioned Rohit Sharma-led Team India of the slow Dubai pitch. In the post-match presentation he said that it will be a different challenge against India on a different surface and also suggested the Dubai pitch might play a little slower.
"Feels nice to qualify. Knew Bangladesh would be a challenge. The way we pulled things back with the ball was amazing. Hard to take middle-overs wickets in ODIs and Bracewell was amazing. He's a quality bowler now, the way he can change his pace on these wickets is outstanding. Bowls a lot to right-handers too. (Pitch) It was more two paced than I thought. It feels like a little bit of dew but not a lot. (Rachin) He's doing Rachin things I guess. He loves ICC events. Looks like he never left the game. He wasn't as fluid as he'd have liked but when he gets going he's tough to stop. His partnerships were good too. (India) It will be a different challenge on a different surface. Might be slower," Santer said in the post-match presentation following New Zealand's win over Bangladesh.
Talking about India, they are in red-hot form as they registered comprehensive wins in their first two encounters. They opened their Champions Trophy campaign with a dominant six-wicket win over Bangladesh riding on Shubman Gill's unbeaten 101. In the following clash against arch-rivals Pakistan, India notched a resounding six-wicket win after Virat Kohli's sensational century. The two-time Champions Trophy title holders are now eyeing to add another jewel to their crown.
Talking about the match, Rachin Ravindra's century, coupled with Michael Bracewell's four-fer propelled New Zealand to a five-wicket win over Bangladesh. Before defeating Bangladesh, New Zealand registered a comprehensive 60-run win over Pakistan in the tournament opener.
