Defending Champions Pakistan is out of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025. The team lost two of their three group-stage matches. Their hopes relied on New Zealand losing to Bangladesh, but after match six those hopes vanished. The defending champions exited the tournament early.
Pakistan lose opening match by 60 runs to New Zealand on 19th February at National Stadium Karachi. They lose another match to their arch-rivalry India on 23 February at Dubai International Stadium. The chance to qualify for semi’s, also ruined by New Zealand win over Bangladesh on 24th of February.
New Zealand faced early setbacks but Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra steadied the innings. They counter-attacked Bangladesh’s bowlers forming a crucial fifty run partnership. However, Conway’s knock ended at 30 runs when an inside edge onto the stumps gave Mustafizur Rahman a breakthrough.
Ravindra remained solid reaching his fifth ODI half-century in just 50 balls. Tom Latham then joined him adding valuable runs in a rapid fourth wicket stand. Earlier Taskin Ahmed provided Bangladesh with a perfect start clean bowling Will Young for a duck in the first over.
Kane Williamson followed soon after. He edged a Nahid Rana delivery to Mushfiqur Rahim behind the stumps. Despite these early blows Ravindra continued his fine form. He reached 1000 ODI runs in just 26 innings making him the fifth-fastest New Zealand batter to achieve this feat.
Bangladesh openers Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto built a steady foundation. They rotated the strike and punished loose deliveries. However, just before reaching a 50-run stand, Michael Bracewell struck in his second ball. He removed Tanzid Hasan (24) in the ninth over with Kane Williamson taking a sharp catch.
Will O’Rourke provided another breakthrough dismissing Mehidy Hasan. The batter had struck two elegant boundaries before Mitchell Santner caught him at mid-on. New Zealand’s fielding brilliance continued when Williamson grabbed another stunning catch to dismiss Towhid Hridoy off Bracewell’s bowling.
Ravindra then took a catch to remove Mushfiqur Rahim giving Bracewell his third wicket. Mahmudullah soon followed as O’Rourke held onto a sharp chance completing Bracewell’s four-wicket haul.
Najmul Hossain Shanto fought hard scoring his 10th ODI half-century to keep Bangladesh’s innings alive. Jaker Ali provided crucial support guiding Bangladesh past the 200 run mark. He scored 45 off 55 balls before being run out in the penultimate over.
Bangladesh finished their innings at 236/9 in 50 overs. New Zealand chased 237 runs and secure a semifinal spot alongside India.
At the end of 6th match played between New Zealand and Bangladesh at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan’s hopes to semifinals are vanished. The host team Pakistan is out of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.
