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In a crucial Group A Champions Trophy match on Monday in Rawalpindi, New Zealand spinner Michael Bracewell returned career-best figures of 4-26 to help limit Bangladesh to 236-9. A win for New Zealand would send them into the semi-finals and also knock Bangladesh and hosts Pakistan out in the group phase of the 50-over tournament. India would go through with the Black Caps.
Pakistan defeated New Zealand in the competition’s opening match, which they lost to India on Sunday. New Zealand elected to field first in their second match and their bowlers dominated despite a battling 77 by Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto and Jaker Ali’s 45.
Every game ‘pressure’ as Bangladesh face make-or-break clash
Bangladesh started well with a brisk opening stand of 45 between Tanzid Hasan and Shanto.
Tanzid took on the pace bowlers as he hit fast bowler Kyle Jamieson for a four and six but his run-a-ball 24 was cut short by Bracewell.
The 34-year-old off-spinner got the left-handed Tanzid caught by Kane Williamson at midwicket with his second delivery. Mehidy Hasan Miraz was returned for 13 by rookie pace bowler Will O’Rourke, and the middle order suddenly gave in to Bracewell’s offspin. With his disciplined bowling, Bracewell restricted the batsmen, and despite Shanto’s efforts to add a few boundaries, no runs were scored. Bracewell got his second wicket in the seventh over when Williamson took his second catch, turning from extra cover to catch the ball over his shoulder to dismiss the dangerous Towhid Hridoy for seven. The patience paid off, and Bracewell got his second wicket. Bracewell completed his full quota in the 27th over and got two more wickets, removing veterans Mushfiqur Rahim (2) and Mahmudullah Riyad (4) as Bangladesh slipped to 118-5.
Shanto reached his fifty and attempted to rebuild with Jaker adding 45 for the sixth wicket before O’Rourke dismissed the captain with a short ball.
Jaker stood firm with the lower-order including a cameo by number eight Rishad Hossain, who hit a rapid 26, but the total looks below par on a pitch that usually favours batsmen.