RAWALPINDI: New Zealand have chosen to bowl first against Bangladesh after winning the toss for today’s (Monday) Champions Trophy 2025 match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The Black Caps made early gains by dismissing one of the Bangladeshi openers, Tanzid Hassan, within the first 10 overs of the match. Mehdy Miraz, who replaced Hassan, also fell cheaply for just 13 runs in the 12th over. The Tigers were 78-2 by the end of 15th over.
The Pindi stadium is staging the first match of the ongoing tournament amid tight security.
The Kiwis look to seal a place in the Champions Trophy semi-finals. A win for them would also knock Bangladesh and hosts Pakistan out in the group phase of the 50-over tournament. India would go through with the Black Caps.
New Zealand won the opening match of the competition against Pakistan, who then lost to India on Sunday to be on the brink of an early exit.
The Mitchell Santer-led side made two changes, bringing in fast bowler Kyle Jamieson and batter Rachin Ravindra on a pitch which is expected to be batting-friendly.
Ravindra, a left-handed batsman and spinner, has recovered from a nasty hit on the forehead in a recent tri-series match.
Bangladesh, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, need a win to stay alive in the eight-nation tournament after they went down to India in their first match.
They made two changes with senior batsman Mahmudullah and fast bowler Nahid Rana coming in for Soumya Sarkar and Tanzim Sakib.
The top two teams from each of the two groups move into the semi-finals. The result of today’s match is one of the conditions that affect the host nation’s campaign in the tournament.
Security arrangements
To ensure smooth proceedings, Rawalpindi Police have deployed over 5,000 officers for security duties, while more than 350 traffic officers are managing traffic flow.
The Rawalpindi central police officer said that a special control room had been set up to monitor the arrangements, with Safe City cameras and other CCTV systems keeping an eye on the stadium and the garrison city.
He said that snipers had been strategically positioned on rooftops along the route and around the stadium, while Police, Dolphin Force, and Elite Force units were actively patrolling.
Spectators will only be allowed entry after passing through walk-through gates and full-body searches, he added.
The police official further stated that in accordance with security protocols, parking outside designated areas was strictly prohibited.
Meanwhile, senior officials are conducting regular security briefings and inspections to ensure foolproof arrangements, coordinated with the Pakistan Army, Rangers, and other security agencies.
Fans attending the match should note that power banks, hands-free devices, AirPods, food items, and any prohibited objects will not be allowed inside the stadium.
Playing XI
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Latham (WK), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santer (C), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Will O’Rorke.
Bangladesh: Najmul Hassan Shanto (C), Tanzid Hasan, Tawhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, mehdy Miraz, Mahmudullah, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana, Taskin Ahmed.
