Photo: Collected

DHAKA, Feb 24, 2025 (BSS)-Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto hammered a 110 ball-
77 as Bangladesh posted 236-9 in a Champions Trophy game against New Zealand, 
what turned out to be a 'do or die' game for them today at Rawalpindi Cricket 
Stadium.

A defeat would ruin Bangladesh's prospect of staying alive for semifinal race 
completely. But the total that Bangladesh put up in placid track in 
Rawalpindi not looked so intimidating to challenge a balanced side like New 
Zealand.

Bangladesh were asked to bat first after losing the toss but couldn't make a 
fluent start despite the likes of Tanzid Hasan Tamim and captain Shanto, who 
opened the innings after Soumya Sarkar paved a way for Mahmudullah Riyad, in 
the crease.

Their watchful start denied Bangladesh losing any early wickets like the 
previous game against India. However Michael Bracewell triggered a collapse 
to leave Bangladesh in disarray state after the opening partnership reached 
45 in ninth over.

Bracewell finished with 4-26 and was ably supported by William O' Rourke who 
took 2-48, including the prized scalp of Shanto.

Bracewell began the rot by claiming Tanzid who made run-a-ball-24 with one 
four and two sixes before O'Rourke grabbed the wicket of Mehidy Hasan Miraz 
for 13.

Miraz now failed in consecutive two matches after playing as top order 
batter. 

Bracewell then got the better of Towhid Hridoy who made a century in the 
previous match, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad for single digit figure 
as Bangladesh slumped to 118-5 from 45-1. 

Shanto kept waging lone battle to raise his 10th half-century from 71 balls 
by pushing Mitchell Santner's length delivery to deep square leg.

He looked compact until he top-edged a delivery of O'Rourke to be perished to 
77 off 110 after hitting nine boundaries.

Jaker Ali Anik and Rishad Hossain pressed hard but New Zealand bowlers were 
well disciplined in their approach.

Jaker who played a 68-run knock in the last innings, was trapped run out for 
45 before Matt Henry got rid of Rishad for 26.

But Jaker's knock was vital in taking the side past 200, that looked unlikely 
at one phase.