A SUPERB century from Rachin Ravindra on Champions Trophy debut landed New Zealand their semi-final spot at the marquee ICC event.
Chasing 237, Rachin Ravindra took full control of the chase, slamming his fourth ODI century, combining with Tom Latham for a 129-run fourth-wicket stand, after the duo took over from 72/3.
New Zealand’s win meant that hosts Pakistan were knocked out of the tournament alongside Bangladesh, as India made their way into the final four as well along with the Black Caps.
Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra then proceeded to steady the ship for the Black Caps, combining to counter-attack the Bangladesh bowlers and forging a steady 50-run partnership.
Just as Conway kept going, an inside-edge onto the stumps did the trick for Mustafizur Rahman as the left-hand batter’s 30-run knock came to a halt.
Ravindra kept going, notching up his fifth half-century in ODI cricket off his 50th ball at the crease.

Tom Latham also stepped in with a crucial knock, stitching together a whirlwind partnership for the fourth wicket as New Zealand looked for redemption from their unexpected start.
Taskin Ahmed got Bangladesh off to the perfect start as he rattled Will Young’s stumps off the final delivery of the first over for a duck.

It was Kane Williamson’s turn to depart next as he chased one from Nahid Rana outside off stump, only for it to take a nick and fall in the safe hands of Mushfiqur Rahim.
Ravindra went on to complete 1000 runs in ODI cricket in his 26th innings – fifth fastest for the Black Caps.
Jaker Ali stepped in with a crucial knock towards the end as he took Bangladesh past the 200-run mark.

The batter was run out in the penultimate over of the game, having notched up 45 off 55 that helped Bangladesh inch towards a decent total.
At the end of the 50 overs, Bangladesh posted 236/9, leaving New Zealand needing 237 to grab their semi-final spot alongside India.

Skipper Najmul continued to hold the fort for Bangladesh, alongside Jaker Ali as the pair steadied the ship for Bangladesh after losing a flurry of wickets.
But the skipper’s stay at the crease was ended, courtesy of a brilliant running catch from Michael Bracewell, who put an end to his 110-ball 77-run knock that guided Bangladesh from the front.
Rishad Hossain, who struck 26 off 25 balls and looked set to take Bangladesh to a competitive score fell next, courtesy another simple catch for Santner off Matt Henry.
New Zealand’s brilliant catching prowess was once again on display as Williamson latched onto another superb grab to get rid of Tawhid Hridoy, giving Bracewel his second of the game.
Following which, Rachin Ravindra caught another one to scalp Mushfiqur Rahim’s wicket in Bracewell’s very next over.

Mahmuddulah was the next atter to fall prey to New Zealand’s brilliance on the field, as O’Rourke’s safe hands landed Bracewell’s fourth of the game in the form of Mahmud Ullah.
Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto kept going, notching up his 10th ODI half-century to keep Bangladesh’s scorecard ticking from one end.
Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Shanto took Bangladesh off to a strong start, rotating the strike and punching the good balls to the boundary.

Just when the Bangladesh openers looked set to complete a 50-run stand, Michel Bracewell made an impact off his very second ball of the game to send Tanzid Hasan (24) back to the dugout in the ninth over, with Kane Williamson grabbing a neat one.
Will O’Rourke gave New Zealand’s second breakthrough of the game, dismissing Mehidy Hasan, who had smashed two glorious boundaries in his short stay at the crease as skipper Mitchell Santner displayed his safe hands this time at mid-on. (ICC Media)