ICC CT 2025: Bracewell, Rachin lead charge as Kiwis thump Bangladesh

Off-spinner returned career best figures before Ravindra century boosted New Zealand chase

- AJEYO BASU

New Zealand rode a century by Rachin Ravindra and career best bowling figures by Michael Bracewell to thrash Bangladesh by five wickets in a Group A match at the Champions Trophy 2025 in Rawalpindi on Monday.

Chasing 237, the Kiwis ran into early trouble after losing Will Young and Kane Williamson before Rachin scored 112 runs off 105 balls to blow away the Bangladesh challenge.

Tom Latham also shone with a half-century.

New Zealand now have four points from two matches.

Earlier, Michael Bracewell's 4-26, along with two wickets by William O'Rourke helped New Zealand restrict Bangladesh to 236/9.

Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto top scored with 77 runs for Bangladesh, whilst Jaker Ali provided support at the back end with a 45-run contribution in a match that Bangladesh needed to win to keep the group scenarios alive.

Bangladesh lost their opening match to India while New Zealand defeated hosts Pakistan in the opener.

By winning this match, New Zealand will seal their place in the semifinals.

Bracewell became the first NZ spinner, since Paul Wiseman in 2002, to take a four-fer in ICC Champions Trophy.

He ended the night with figures of 4-26, having bowled 43 dot balls in his designated ten overs.