Champions Trophy: Ravindra’s ton guides New Zealand’s win over Bangladesh

After a five-wicket victory over Group A rivals Bangladesh, New Zealand has advanced to the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy.

Chasing 237 for victory on Monday, New Zealand shrugged off the loss of two early wickets and rode Rachin Ravindra’s classy 112 and Tom Latham’s 55 to get home in 46.1 overs at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Pakistan.

“He’s doing Rachin things. He loves ICC events and looked like he never left the game”, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said of the left-hander, who only came into the side due to Daryl Mitchell’s illness.

He “wasn’t as fluent as he probably would have liked to be,” he said, “but when he’s going he’s tough to stop, and that partnership with Tom really helped us.”

After Black Caps spinner Michael Bracewell placed 4-26, Bangladesh wasted a strong start and made a 236-9 run in 50 overs with Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 77 and Jaker Ali’s 45.

After losing their opening two matches to New Zealand and India, the result resulted in Pakistan joining Bangladesh in being eliminated from the competition.

In their first International Cricket Council (ICC) competition since the 1996 ODI World Cup, Pakistan, who won the previous edition of the Champions Trophy in 2017, fell to New Zealand and then to India.

India, who will host the final if the Asian giants go the distance, will play all of their matches in Dubai, which is where they will play for political reasons.

After defeating Pakistan by 60 runs in the tournament opener, New Zealand emerged as the favorite to win the group.

Who will take Group A to India in Dubai on Sunday?

“It’s going to be another challenge on a different surface”, Santner said.