ISLAMABAD: New Zealand’s spinner Michael Bracewell produced a career-best performance of 4-26 to limit Bangladesh to 236/9 in their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 group-stage match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Despite a positive start from Bangladesh’s openers, Bracewell’s devastating spell dismantled the middle order and ensured New Zealand were in control for much of the innings.
Bracewell ended with career-best figures of 4-26 from 10 overs, having previously taken four wickets in an innings once before – 4-36 against Sri Lanka at Pallekele in November 2024.
Among New Zealand spinners, only Daniel Vettori (9) has more ODI four-wicket hauls than Bracewell. Vettori has claimed nine of New Zealand’s 19 four-wicket hauls by spinners, with the remaining 10 spread across seven spinners, four of whom are playing in the current match.
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Asked to bat first, Bangladesh’s openers started positively, putting together a quick 45-run partnership. Despite the Rawalpindi pitch being known for high scores, New Zealand managed to stem the flow of runs with regular wickets.
Off-spinner Michael Bracewell led the charge, finishing with 4-25 in a spell of 10 overs. Bracewell was the key to breaking the opening stand, dismissing Tanzid Hasan with a miscue to midwicket.
The middle overs were challenging for Bangladesh as they struggled to accelerate the scoring while losing wickets at regular intervals.
Only captain Najmul Hossain Shanto stood out, blending aggression with steady runs. Shanto’s 77 was the highlight, as other experienced batters fell in attempts to increase the run rate.
Collapsing middle-order
Once Mehidy Hasan was dismissed by Will O’Rourke at mid-on, Bracewell dismantled the middle-order, with Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah all falling trying to hit big. Bracewell’s career-best figures came as Bangladesh lost half their side for just 118.
Shanto continued to fight on his own before falling to O’Rourke’s short ball for 77. The lower-order responded with a spirited fightback, led by Jaker Ali, and Bangladesh managed to score at more than 6 per over in the final 10.
Ali and Rishad Hossain played key roles in pushing the total beyond 200, leaving Bangladesh with a competitive but slightly under-par total.
