Bangladesh has a long history with Rawalpindi’s Pindi Cricket Stadium. The Tigers played their first ODI here back in 2003, suffering a five-wicket defeat. In 2020, they endured the humiliation of an innings defeat in a Test match.
However, August 2024 brought a historic turnaround—Bangladesh secured their first-ever Test and Test series victory against Pakistan at this very venue.
With the Champions Trophy in sight, Rawalpindi has undergone significant renovations, yet the old battleground remains. The air might still carry the scent of Bangladesh’s triumph, a memory not too distant. However, as they prepare to face New Zealand at Pindi, there’s an undeniable sense of concern and uncertainty in the Tigers' camp.
Bangladesh’s struggles in the ODI format are well known. Their batting lineup has been inconsistent, failing to deliver in recent series. Their last series win came against Sri Lanka in 2024, but subsequent encounters against Afghanistan and the West Indies ended in complete surrender.
The horror continued in their Champions Trophy opener against India, where they collapsed to 39/5, setting an embarrassing record.
Thus, Bangladesh’s fond memories at Pindi come with a cloud of worry. This clash against New Zealand leaves ‘no room for error’—a slip here, and Najmul Shanto’s side will crash out of the tournament. If New Zealand wins, they will move to four points, just like India, while Bangladesh, even with a win in their final game, will be left with only two—eliminating them from contention.
Interestingly, Pakistan will also be closely watching this match, as a Bangladesh victory is crucial for keeping their slim semifinal hopes alive.
Some changes might be on the cards for Bangladesh in this high-stakes encounter. The biggest concern is Mahmudullah Riyad’s availability, as his fitness remains uncertain. Head coach Phil Simmons, speaking at a press conference on Sunday, stated that Mahmudullah’s participation depends on his fitness. If he returns, Mushfiqur Rahim might be dropped, given his golden duck in the last match.
Additionally, Nahid Rana could replace Tanzim Sakib in the lineup, considering Pindi’s pitch characteristics. Other than that, the squad is unlikely to see major changes.
New Zealand, on the other hand, faces no such concerns. The only question is whether Rachin Ravindra will be fit to play. However, the Kiwis secured a commanding victory in their Champions Trophy opener even without him, meaning they have a strong case for fielding an unchanged XI.
Head-to-Head Stats
Since 2015, Bangladesh has been one of New Zealand’s most frequent ODI opponents. However, results have overwhelmingly favored the Blackcaps, who have won 17 of the last 21 encounters, with Bangladesh winning just four.
Their last Champions Trophy clash, in 2017, was a historic one for Bangladesh, as they secured a memorable victory in Cardiff—a game still fresh in the minds of several players in the current squad.
In Champions Trophy history, the two sides have met twice, winning one match each.
Overall, in 45 ODIs, Bangladesh has won 11 times, while New Zealand has dominated with 33 victories. One match ended without a result. However, in their most recent meeting in Napier, Bangladesh emerged victorious.
As the Tigers step onto the field for this must-win battle, they will need to summon every ounce of their strength, resilience, and perhaps, a bit of magic from their past victories at Pindi.
