Rachin Ravindra’s sublime century helped New Zealand book their place in the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy with a comfortable five-wicket win over Bangladesh in Rawalpindi.
Ravindra, who missed the Black Caps’ opening win against Pakistan with concussion, struck 112 from 105 balls to steer his side to their modest target of 237 with 3.5 overs to spare.
The chase started nervously as opener Taskin Ahmed bowled Will Young in the first over, and Kane Williamson fell for five during a lively opening spell from Bangladesh’s seamers, but Ravindra and Devon Conway (30) withstood the pressure with a calm third-wicket stand of 57.
Ravindra fell with just 36 more runs required after a partnership of 129 with wicketkeeper Tom Latham, who made a crucial 55, which set up the victory to eliminate both their opponents and hosts Pakistan and to also ensure India’s qualification from Group A.
Bangladesh were left to rue a wasteful batting innings which saw eight of the nine wickets to fall caught in the outfield from loose and unconvincing shot selection, with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 77 and Jaker Ali’s 45 the only notable contributions.
They reached a steady 58-1 from the opening 10 overs, but then failed to recover from a slip from 97-2 to 118-5 as spinner Michael Bracewell tore through the middle order with career-best ODI figures of 4-26. (BBC)
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