Synopsis
Ahead of their decisive match in the Champions Trophy 2025, NZ captain Mitchell Santner acknowledges Bangladesh's strength despite Shakib's absence. They aim for a win to secure semifinal progression, while Bangladesh fights to stay in contention after their loss to India.Key Takeaways
- Mitchell Santner emphasizes Bangladesh's depth in both pace and spin.
- New Zealand enters the match with recent victories boosting their confidence.
- Bangladesh faces elimination if they lose, making this match crucial.
- Partnerships and adaptability to conditions are key for New Zealand's batting.
- Both teams have strong players capable of impacting the game significantly.
Rawalpindi, Feb 23 (NationPress) New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner asserts that Bangladesh poses a significant threat even in the absence of Shakib Al Hasan during the Champions Trophy 2025. As they approach a pivotal group-stage match on Monday at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Santner emphasized the increasing strength of Bangladesh, especially in both pace and spin bowling.
The Black Caps are entering this match with confidence, having secured victories in the tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa, followed by a 60-run win against the host nation in their opening Champions Trophy game. While Santner is optimistic about his team’s capabilities, he recognizes the necessity to adjust to the playing conditions.
“We have devised a few strategies for facing Bangladesh, but we need to observe how the pitch behaves. If it’s a flat surface, we’ll need to consistently target that hard length. Bangladesh has a history of strong spinners, and now they also possess impressive pace bowlers. Taskin Ahmed has been a reliable performer, we know the potential of Mustafizur Rahman, and young Nahid Rana is an exciting talent,” Santner noted in the pre-match press briefing.
For Bangladesh, the situation is clear: they must win to avoid elimination. The side, led by Najmul Hossain Shanto, faced a six-wicket defeat against India in their first match and currently sits third in the group with a net run rate of -0.408. Another loss would severely limit their chances of progressing.
Nevertheless, Santner commended Bangladesh’s batting lineup, highlighting Mahmudullah’s all-round skills, the emergence of wicketkeeper-batter Jaker Ali, and leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who has shown promise in recent games. He stressed that New Zealand must execute their strategies effectively to counter Bangladesh’s strengths.
New Zealand’s batting has been impressive, with Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham, and Will Young delivering solid performances in recent outings. Santner pointed out the significance of establishing partnerships and adapting to the conditions in Rawalpindi, a venue known for its high-scoring matches.
While Rawalpindi is recognized as a batsman-friendly ground, Santner believes that New Zealand’s bowlers should focus on maintaining containment and consistency. “If the surface is quite flat, I think it resembles conditions we've faced in Karachi. We need to maintain that hard length consistently. Additionally, we know they have some explosive players in their squad as well,” he remarked.
“Historically, it’s a high-scoring ground, so we must be alert. With the bat, we aim to build partnerships and execute our plans effectively.”
Even in the absence of Shakib, Santner remains cautious of Bangladesh’s balance and experience. “They are adept at navigating these surfaces, and we are familiar with their approach too. The key is to implement our strategies and adapt swiftly.”
New Zealand aims to secure their spot in the semifinals with a victory, while Bangladesh must recover from their setback against India to keep their hopes alive.
