DHAKA, Feb 24, 2025 (BSS)-Bangladesh failed to put up a competitive total yet 
again when they faced off New Zealand in their second game of the Champions 
Trophy, a match that turned out to be a 'do or die' game for them at 
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium today.

They were finally restricted to 236-9, a total that looked not intimidating 
to challenge New Zealand given the placid nature of Rawalpindi pitch. Stats 
and the record of previous matches here suggested that teams generally posted 
more than 300 runs here. In fact 300 runs also are not safe in modern cricket 
these days.

However, the stat also suggested that playing dots was the reason behind 
Bangladesh's mediocre total.

Bangladesh are not bolstered with so many power hitters and so there was 
emphasis on playing dots as less as it is possible. However, the Tigers, in 
total played a staggering 181 dot balls today out of 300 balls, that 
effectively ruined their prospect of putting up big total.

If they can make at least 100 runs from the dots, the score easily could have 
gone close to 350. 

Not only in this match. In the previous match against India, they played 159 
dot balls, meaning they played 56.4 overs of dot balls in their two matches 
combined.

Against India, Bangladesh were bowled out for 228 to taste a six-wicket 
defeat.

However, the another reason that went against them was that they couldn't 
form a 50 plus stand in their innings today. Often it was said partnership is 
key in cricket to put on good total on the board. Bangladesh failed in this 
aspect too. 

Their highest partnership today was 45, by openers Tanzid Hasan Tamim and 
captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.