New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, will seek to consolidate their strong start in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 when they take on Bangladesh in their second Group A fixture at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Having secured a commanding victory in their tournament opener, the Black Caps are well poised to secure a semi-final spot, while Bangladesh find themselves in a precarious must-win situation following their loss to India.
Recent form:
Bangladesh: The Tigers' defeat to India marked their sole One-Day International (ODI) outing since December last year. Their last ODI series against the West Indies ended in a clean sweep against them, losing all three matches.
Although they managed to triumph in the T20I series against the Caribbean side, their form in the longer format remains underwhelming. Their latest six-wicket loss to India further underscores their struggles.
New Zealand: The Kiwis have been in formidable form, winning six of their seven ODIs this calendar year. Their sole defeat came against Sri Lanka in January, although they still clinched the series 2-1.
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Since then, they have swept aside their competition, claiming the Tri-Nation Series over Pakistan and South Africa before opening their Champions Trophy campaign with a resounding 60-run victory against hosts Pakistan.
Players to watch:
Bangladesh – Nazmul Hossain Shanto:
The Bangladesh captain endured a disappointing start to the tournament, falling for a second-ball duck against India. With Bangladesh desperate for a turnaround, Shanto must deliver with the bat and anchor the innings.
Ranked 26th among ODI batters, he has shown promise in 2024 and will be keen to lead from the front.
New Zealand – Mitchell Santner:
The Black Caps' skipper played a pivotal role in their opening fixture, returning figures of 3/66 against Pakistan. New Zealand’s batting prowess was evident in their first game, with two centurions and Glenn Phillips’ explosive 61 off 39 balls.
With experienced campaigners like Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell in the mix, the Kiwis boast immense depth.
However, their success against Bangladesh will hinge on Santner’s leadership, both in setting astute field placements and using his left-arm spin effectively to slow down the opposition.
Squads:
Bangladesh: Nazmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, 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.
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