New Zealand march into semis as Pakistan crash out of Champions Trophy

Rachin Ravindra (112) smashed his fourth century of his ODI career and spinner Michael Bracewell (4-26) did a terrific job with the ball to put New Zealand in the semi-finals when they conquered Bangladesh by five wickets in their Group A game of the ICC Champions Trophy at the Pindi Stadium Rawalpindi on Monday.

The outcome of the day-night clash also ended Pakistan’s outside chance of reaching the last four.

India are the others who have qualified to the last four from this group with two back-to-back wins against Bangladesh and Pakistan.

This was also the second win from Kiwis after they had downed Pakistan by 60 runs in the first game at Karachi with a game in hand against India.

The two back-to-back defeats also put Bangladesh out of the event.

Both Pakistan and Bangladesh will now meet in their final group match at the Pindi Stadium on February 27.

It was the day of Wellington-born Rachin who played a terrific knock to enable New Zealand chase the 237-run target in 46.1 overs after losing five wickets.

Earlier Bracewell’s four-fer restricted Bangladesh to 236-9.

After losing Will Young (0) and Kane Williamson (5) early, Rachin took the center stage and added 57 runs for the third wicket with Devon Conway who was bowled by Mustafizur Rahman for a 45-ball 30. Conway smashed six fours in his good knock.

Rachin was joined by the in-form Tom Latham and both batted with an immense responsibility. They added 129 runs for the fourth wicket association to bring New Zealand closer to victory.

Spinner Rishad Hossain broke this partnership by getting rid of Rachin.

Rachin, who brought in his fourth century in his 30th game off 95 balls, struck one six and 12 fours during his 125-ball stay at the crease.

Tom Latham, who had hit 118 not out against Pakistan in the previous game at Karachi, then got run out after completing his 26th fifty of his career off 71 balls. He smashed three fours in his 76-ball 55.

New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra celebrates reaching his century.Reuters

Phillips (21 not out) and Michael Bracewell (11) then took New Zealand home without further hiccup.

Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman and Rishad Hossain took one wicket apiece.

After being put into bat Bangladesh struggled throughout and failed to build good partnerships before being restricted to 236-9 in the allotted 50 overs.

Bangladesh’s innings revolved around their skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto who played sensibly, blasting 77 off 110 balls.

Shanto, along with Tanzid Hasan (24 off 24), provided 45 runs opening stand to their team and it seemed that they would build on it further. However, it did not happen so.

It was spinner Michael Bracewell who dented Bangladesh more along with pacer Will O’Rourke who both bowled extremely well.

Bracewell, who is in good form, removed the opening partnership by getting rid of Tanzid who struck two sixes and one four.

O’Rourke then got rid of Mehidy Hasan Miraz (13) to leave Bangladesh at 64-2 in 12 overs.

Bracewell then ripped through the middle order by removing Towhid Hridoy (7), Mushfiqur Rahim (2) and Mahmudullah (4) in quick succession to leave Bangladesh reeling at 118-5 in the 27th over.

Jaker Ali (45) joined Shanto and both tried to rebuild the innings and shared 45 for the sixth wicket stand. O’Rourke removed the key man Shanto who hammered nine fours in his fine knock.

Rishad Hossain then gave ample support to Jaker and both added 33 for the seventh wicket before premier pacer Matt Henry removed Rishad who struck one six and two fours in his 25-ball 26.

Jaker was batting extremely well before getting run out in the 49th over after hammering one six and three fours from 55 balls.

Bracewell (4-26 in 10 overs) remained top performer for New Zealand with the ball. He kept tight line and length and troubled the batsmen consistently. Will O’Rourke got 2-48 in ten overs.