The sixth match of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be played between New Zealand and Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. A win in this match will secure New Zealand’s place in the semi-finals, while for Bangladesh, it is a do-or-die encounter. They suffered a crushing defeat against India in their previous match and will be looking to bounce back.
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The pitch at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is generally batting-friendly, often producing high-scoring games. Teams winning the toss usually prefer to bowl first. A total of 26 ODIs have been played at this venue so far, with the team batting first winning 11 times, while the chasing team has emerged victorious 14 times. One match ended in a tie/no result.
New Zealand’s Dominance in Pakistan
New Zealand has maintained its dominance in ODIs on Pakistan’s home soil, securing four consecutive wins. They will be confident heading into this game. On the other hand, Bangladesh will aim to recover from their heavy defeat against India. The team will be looking for a fresh start, especially after Towhid Hridoy’s fighting century in the last match.
New Zealand’s Strengths
New Zealand has shown excellent form with the bat, led by Will Young and Tom Latham. Their bowling attack, spearheaded by Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke, has consistently performed well and will look to exploit Bangladesh’s struggling batting lineup.
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Concerns for Bangladesh
One of the biggest concerns for Bangladesh has been the poor form of their openers. In the last match against India, both openers were dismissed inside the powerplay, putting immense pressure on the middle order. Against New Zealand’s strong bowling attack, Bangladesh will need a significantly improved performance to avoid another loss.
Key Players to Watch
- Glenn Phillips (New Zealand): He has been in exceptional form, scoring 215 runs in his last four matches, including three unbeaten innings. His aggressive batting and outstanding fielding make him a game-changer.
- Matt Henry (New Zealand): Henry has taken 15 wickets in Pakistan over the last two years, the most by any overseas bowler. His experience and skill will be crucial for New Zealand.
- Will Young (New Zealand): Young has scored 360 runs against Bangladesh in just eight innings, averaging over 50. His form is a major concern for the Bangladesh bowlers.
Match Prediction
New Zealand enters this match as the clear favorite, given their recent performances and balanced squad. However, Bangladesh cannot be underestimated, considering their past performances in multi-nation tournaments. The upcoming match promises to be an exciting contest between the two teams.