Michael Bracewell Leads New Zealand to Victory Over Bangladesh in ICC Champions Trophy 2025
By sportsandcinema
In a thrilling Group B encounter of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, New Zealand secured a commanding five-wicket victory over Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Chasing a target of 237, the Black Caps reached 240/5 in 46.1 overs, thanks to a brilliant all-round performance by Michael Bracewell, who was deservedly named Player of the Match.
This crucial win strengthens New Zealand’s position in the tournament as they continue their quest for a semi-final spot, while Bangladesh faces an uphill battle to stay in contention.
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Bangladesh’s Struggles with the Bat
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Bangladesh aimed to post a challenging total on a pitch that historically assists both pacers and spinners. However, their innings never gained full momentum as they struggled against New Zealand’s disciplined bowling attack.
Openers Litton Das and Tanzid Hasan made a cautious start, but Lockie Ferguson's express pace broke the stand early. Litton, looking to accelerate, fell for 23 off 37 balls, edging a short ball to the keeper. Tanzid followed soon after, dismissed for 17, leaving Bangladesh at 48/2 inside the first 10 overs.
Veteran batter Shakib Al Hasan and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto attempted to stabilize the innings with a gritty partnership. Shakib played with his usual elegance, finding gaps and rotating the strike well. His knock of 52 off 67 balls was the backbone of Bangladesh’s innings, but his dismissal—falling to a sharp turner from Ish Sodhi—put them on the back foot.
Shanto’s cautious 41 off 55 balls held the innings together, but a middle-order collapse saw Bangladesh lose quick wickets. The lower order, led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz (28 off 32) and Taskin Ahmed (18 off 14), provided some late fireworks, guiding Bangladesh to 236/9 in 50 overs.
For New Zealand, Trent Boult (2/42) and Lockie Ferguson (2/39) were impressive with the new ball, while Michael Bracewell chipped in with crucial wickets, returning figures of 3/37.
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Michael Bracewell Steers New Zealand to Victory
Chasing 237, New Zealand’s innings began with confidence as Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra built a solid opening stand. Conway, in sublime form, played elegant drives and precise cuts, scoring 48 off 53 balls before falling to Mustafizur Rahman.
Rachin Ravindra, coming off strong performances in previous matches, anchored the chase with a composed 57 off 74 balls. His partnership with Kane Williamson (38 off 45 balls) kept New Zealand in control, frustrating Bangladesh’s bowlers.
Despite a few hiccups in the middle overs, when Shoriful Islam dismissed both Williamson and Daryl Mitchell in quick succession, New Zealand remained in the driver’s seat. With the required run rate under control, the stage was set for Michael Bracewell to showcase his all-round brilliance.
Bracewell played a match-winning knock of 62 off 55 balls*, blending aggression with smart cricketing shots. He accelerated at the right moment, taking on spinners Mehidy Hasan and Shakib Al Hasan with powerful strokes down the ground. His innings included six boundaries and a six, ensuring New Zealand crossed the finish line with 5 wickets in hand and 23 balls to spare.
The finishing touches were provided by Glenn Phillips (22 off 18 balls), whose aggressive stroke play further eased any remaining pressure.
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Turning Points of the Match
1. Shakib Al Hasan’s crucial dismissal – Just when Bangladesh looked set for a 260+ total, Shakib’s wicket triggered a middle-order collapse.
2. Bracewell’s impact with the ball and bat – His three-wicket haul and unbeaten 62* were the difference-makers.
3. New Zealand’s controlled chase – Unlike Bangladesh, the Kiwis never panicked, pacing their innings smartly.
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What This Means for Both Teams
New Zealand’s Road Ahead
With this victory, New Zealand strengthens its standing in Group B and takes a step closer to securing a semi-final spot. Their blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talents continues to shine in this tournament. Kane Williamson’s leadership, the explosive top-order, and a well-rounded bowling attack make them a serious title contender.
Bangladesh’s Challenges
Bangladesh, on the other hand, now faces an uphill battle. Having already lost to Pakistan in their opening match, they must win their remaining fixtures to stay in the hunt for the knockout stage. Their batting unit needs to step up, as 236 was never going to be enough against a strong New Zealand side.
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Final Verdict
New Zealand’s clinical performance highlighted why they are one of the most consistent teams in white-ball cricket. Michael Bracewell’s heroics with both bat and ball made the difference, and his all-round display earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on how Bangladesh bounces back and whether New Zealand can maintain their winning momentum.
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