Champions Trophy 2025: Bangladesh vs Newzeland – Pitch Report and Key Stats of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
As the Champions Trophy 2025 approaches, cricket enthusiasts are looking forward to exciting matchups, notably the clash between Bangladesh and New Zealand. This match will take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Pakistan, a venue known for its rich cricketing history and unique playing conditions. To prepare fans for this highly anticipated encounter, a detailed pitch report and key statistics regarding the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will be invaluable in understanding what to expect when these two teams compete.
Squad of Bangladesh and New Zealand
Bangladesh
Bangladesh boasts a strong top-order batting lineup featuring key players like Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, and Liton Das. They will aim to leverage the playing conditions at Rawalpindi to their advantage. The team’s batting order demonstrates significant depth, and with reliable performances from the lower order, Bangladesh has the potential to set competitive scores. Additionally, their spin bowlers, including Mehidy Hasan and Shakib, are expected to excel during the middle overs, particularly if they can effectively utilize turn and bounce.
The following Players are Included in the Squad for the ICC Champion Trophy 2025.
- Najmul Hossain Shanto (c).
- Taskin Ahmed (vice-capt).
- Liton Das.
- Soumya Sarkar.
- Tanzid Hasan:
- Shakib Al Hasan:
- Towhid Hridoy:
- Mahmudullah:
- Tanvir Islam:
- Mahedi Hasan
- Rishad Hossain:
- Mustafizur Rahman:
- Shoriful Islam:
- Tanzim Hasan:
New Zealand:
New Zealand has always been a well-balanced team and will rely on their pace attack, featuring Trent Boult and Lockie Ferguson. These bowlers can swing the ball early and secure crucial breakthroughs. The inclusion of experienced batsmen like Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor ensures that New Zealand maintains a steady approach with the bat. As the game progresses, they will aim to exploit the pitch’s slowness, with spinners like Mitchell Santner playing a crucial role during the middle overs.
The following Players are Included in the Squad for the ICC Champion Trophy 2025.
- Mitchell Santner (Captain)
- Kane Williamson
- Devon Conway
- Tom Latham (Wicketkeeper)
- Glenn Phillips
- Michael Bracewell
- Mark Chapman
- Daryl Mitchell
- Lockie Ferguson
- Matt Henry
- Rachin Ravindra
- Will Young
- Nathan Smith
- Will O’Rourke
Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium: A Brief Overview
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, situated in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, has a rich history of hosting international cricket events, featuring both Test matches and limited-overs formats. This venue is esteemed for its amenities and the vibrant atmosphere it offers to fans. It has hosted numerous significant matches and is sure to be an exhilarating site for the Champions Trophy 2025.
Pitch Report: What to Expect?
The pitch at Rawalpindi has a reputation for being balanced, offering benefits to both batsmen and bowlers. In limited-overs cricket, it delivers good bounce and pace for fast bowlers early in the game. However, once batsmen establish themselves, they find plenty of opportunities to score runs.
For Fast Bowlers
During the initial phase of a cricket match, fast bowlers often find favorable conditions, especially in the opening overs. The ball tends to swing subtly, which poses a challenge for the opening batsmen. Additionally, the movement of the seam can create extra bounce, enabling pace bowlers to test the batsmen effectively with their precision in lines and lengths.
For Spinners
As the game progresses, particularly during the middle overs, the pitch tends to slow down, providing some assistance to spinners. While Rawalpindi is not the most spin-friendly surface worldwide, it can still present challenges for spinners, especially in the later stages of the match when the ball may grip more effectively.
For Batsmen
The surface typically favors batting, particularly for players who can adapt to the initial conditions. As a good layer of grass is often evident, batting becomes simpler as the game advances. Once the batsmen are established, runs tend to come easily. Nevertheless, there remains the danger of an easy dismissal if the batsmen become overly complacent.
Weather Conditions
Since Rawalpindi usually enjoys warm weather during the Champions Trophy season, the ball can dry out pretty quickly. This means that dew might start to settle in during the second innings. This can affect bowlers, especially spinners, as the ball could skid a bit on the surface. It’s something to keep an eye on as the match unfolds!
Key Stats of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
To give you a better idea of what the teams can expect at Rawalpindi, let’s take a look at some key statistics of the stadium.
Highest Total in ODIs
349/7 – Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka (2006). This highlights that high totals can be achieved, particularly in favorable batting conditions.
Lowest Total in ODIs
The match between Pakistan and New Zealand in 2003, which ended with a total of 118 runs, serves as an example of how even typically good batting pitches can produce low scores. This phenomenon often occurs when bowlers take advantage of early swing or when there are changes in the playing conditions that favor bowling.
Batting Average
In One Day Internationals at Rawalpindi, the typical batting score ranges from 230 to 250, influenced by the prevailing conditions. This indicates that teams reaching scores around 250 to 275 are frequently competitive, though chasing can become difficult if conditions change later in the match.
Bowling Performance
Historically, fast bowlers have found significant success at Rawalpindi, especially during the initial overs when the ball tends to move off the surface. Pacers can capitalize on the pitch’s early freshness to secure early wickets. Conversely, spinners usually become more effective in the middle overs as the game decelerates.
Average First Innings Score
The average first innings score in One Day Internationals (ODIs) at Rawalpindi is typically between 250 and 270 runs. Due to the quality of the pitch, teams are usually able to set competitive totals here. However, the team batting second also has a good chance of successfully chasing down the target, especially as dew can become a significant factor.
Notable Players
Athletes like Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, and Imran Khan have provided unforgettable displays at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Conversely, batsmen like Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam-ul-Haq have shined, making this venue important in Pakistan’s cricket history.
Conclusion:
The upcoming clash between Bangladesh and New Zealand in the Champions Trophy 2025 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is set to be an exciting matchup. The pitch is known for its favorable conditions for both batsmen and bowlers, with initial assistance for fast bowlers and spinners becoming more effective as the game progresses. Batsmen who can adapt to the early challenges are likely to post competitive totals. Additionally, the dew factor may play a crucial role in the second innings. With both teams featuring strong lineups, this match at a venue rich in cricketing history is anticipated to deliver thrilling action for fans.
FAQ’s
What type of pitch can we expect at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium for the Champions Trophy 2025?
The pitch at Rawalpindi is generally balanced, providing early assistance for fast bowlers with good bounce and pace. As the game progresses, spinners start to play a significant role, and the surface becomes easier for batsmen once they settle in.
Which players are key for Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy 2025?
Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, and Liton Das are essential players for Bangladesh. Their strong top-order batting, along with spin bowlers like Mehidy Hasan and Shakib, will play critical roles in the match.
How does Dew affect the game at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium?
Dew can become a factor in the second innings by making the ball skid on the surface, which benefits batsmen. It may also affect spinners, making bowling slightly more challenging in the later stages of the match.
