BAN vs NZ: Bangladesh faces a must-win situation after their opening loss to India, while New Zealand, fresh off a dominant win over Pakistan, looks to secure a semi-final spot. The Kiwis boast a strong batting lineup despite Rachin Ravindra’s injury, while Bangladesh will rely on Soumya Sarkar, Tawhid Hridoy, and Mustafizur Rahman to keep their campaign alive. With everything at stake, this promises to be a high-intensity showdown.

Match Details

• Match: Bangladesh vs New Zealand, Match 6
• Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
• Date & Time: Monday, 24th February, 14:30 IST
• Series: ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Head-to-Head Record

New Zealand holds a dominant record over Bangladesh, winning 75% of their encounters. However, Bangladesh will take confidence from their recent 9-wicket win in December 2023.

Last 5 Matches

New Zealand has won four of the last five matches, but Bangladesh’s dominant victory in their most recent clash proves they can pull off an upset.

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pitch Report

The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, established in 1992, has been a prominent venue for One Day Internationals (ODIs), hosting 26 matches to date. The pitch offers a balanced contest between bat and ball, with early assistance for seamers and increasing support for spinners as the game progresses. Dew can play a role in evening matches, often making chasing a favorable option.

Pitch Characteristics:

• Early Overs: Fast bowlers find movement, making batting challenging during the powerplay.
• Middle Overs: The surface settles, allowing batters to play more freely. Spinners gain traction as the innings advances.
• Dew Factor: Evening matches may experience dew, reducing grip for spinners and aiding batters in chases.

ODI Statistics at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium:

• Average First Innings Score: 242
• Matches Won Batting First: 11
• Matches Won Chasing: 14
• Highest Team Total: 337/3 by Pakistan against New Zealand on April 29, 2023
• Lowest Team Total: 104 all out by Zimbabwe against Sri Lanka in 2004
• Highest Successful Run Chase: 337/3 by Pakistan against New Zealand in 2023
• Lowest Total Defended: 206/9 by England against Pakistan in 2005

1st vs. 2nd Innings Comparison (Last 10 ODIs):

Notable Records at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium:

• Highest Individual Score: 188* by Gary Kirsten for South Africa against the United Arab Emirates on February 16, 1996
• Best Bowling Figures: 6/20 by Waqar Younis for Pakistan against England on December 7, 2005

Tactical Considerations:

• Toss Factor: Teams winning the toss often prefer to chase, considering potential dew and the pitch’s behavior under lights.
• Competitive Total: A first-innings score of 250+ is deemed competitive, with 280+ putting pressure on the chasing side.
• Bowling Impact: Fast bowlers are effective in early overs, while spinners play a crucial role during the middle overs.

The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium offers an engaging environment for ODIs, demanding strategic acumen from teams to adapt to its dynamic conditions.

BAN vs NZ Lineups

Bangladesh:

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:

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

Probable Best Players – Bangladesh vs New Zealand

Bangladesh

• Best Batter: Towhid Hridoy
  Towhid Hridoy has been Bangladesh’s most promising middle-order batter, showcasing resilience and stroke play under pressure. His recent century against India proves he can anchor the innings and accelerate when needed, making him Bangladesh’s key batter in this high-stakes match.

• Best Bowler: Mustafizur Rahman
  Mustafizur Rahman’s experience and ability to deliver in clutch moments make him Bangladesh’s most dangerous bowler. With his deceptive cutters and variations, he will be crucial against New Zealand’s strong batting lineup, especially at the death.

New Zealand

• Best Batter: Will Young
  Will Young has been in stellar form, recently smashing a century against Pakistan. His ability to counter both pace and spin makes him a key figure in New Zealand’s top order. If he gets going, Bangladesh’s bowlers will have a tough time containing him.

• Best Bowler: Matt Henry
  Matt Henry has been New Zealand’s strike bowler, excelling with the new ball and in the death overs. His ability to extract bounce and movement early on will be vital in putting Bangladesh’s batting lineup under pressure from the start.

BAN vs NZ Prediction – ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Match 6

Scenario 1: Bangladesh Batting First

• Projected Score: 250-280 runs
• Reasoning: The Rawalpindi pitch generally supports batters, but early swing could trouble Bangladesh’s top order. Soumya Sarkar and Tanzid Hasan need to survive the new-ball threat from Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke. Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy will be key in building the innings, while Mushfiqur Rahim and Jaker Ali can add finishing touches. However, Mitchell Santner’s spin could create problems in the middle overs. If Bangladesh crosses 270+, they will have a strong chance.

Scenario 2: New Zealand Batting First

• Projected Score: 270-300 runs
• Reasoning: New Zealand’s top order, featuring Will Young, Devon Conway, and Kane Williamson, is in great form. They will look to dominate Bangladesh’s seamers early, with Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips providing acceleration in the later overs. Rishad Hossain’s leg-spin could be Bangladesh’s X-factor, especially in the middle overs. However, if Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed strike early, Bangladesh can limit New Zealand to a chaseable target.

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