ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Match Preview – Bangladesh vs New Zealand - Pressure on both Teams

New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner hopes his team will carry the confidence gained from a recent run of success in Pakistan into its next Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh on Monday.

The Black Caps won a tri-nations series against Pakistan and South Africa and then opened their Champions Trophy campaign with a convincing 60-run win over their hosts, the defending champions, in Karachi.

"It's a nice position to have," Santner said in Rawalpindi on Sunday. "I think obviously the lead-in we had with that tri-nations series and now the guys will take a lot of confidence in that going into Bangladesh game."

New Zealand beat Pakistan in the opening tri-series game, with Glenn Phillips hitting a century, overcame South Africa with a hundred by Kane Williamson, and then defeated Pakistan in the final, with Tom Latham and Will Young both notching centuries.

"Again, it's probably a reset (against Bangladesh), because it's a different surface, a different team, but I think the way different guys have been performing is pleasing," Santner said.

"I think they're a very good team at the moment," Santner said of Group A opponents Bangladesh, who lost their first match against India in Dubai.

"I think they've always had the spin department covered, but now they've got some very good quick bowlers coming through."

Santner said Bangladesh would still be competitive despite missing experienced allrounder Shakib Al Hasan, who was not selected for the tournament.

"Obviously, we've seen how good Shakib has been for a long time," Santner said. "He's proven that he can perform in all conditions."

"But still they've got obviously Rishad (Hossain) coming in, who's a very good leg-spinner. Mehidy (Hasan Miraz) has done it. (Mohammad) Mahmudullah, if he plays, can offer some good overs as well, so I think their balance is good at the moment."

Bangladesh ‘Pressure’

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons admits every game in the Champions Trophy "is hard and full of pressure" as the Tigers face a make-or-break clash with formidable New Zealand in Rawalpindi on Monday.

After India defeated Pakistan on Sunday, Bangladesh must beat the Black Caps or they will be eliminated from semi-final contention.

New Zealand, winners of the Champions Trophy in 2000, opened their campaign with victory over hosts Pakistan while Bangladesh lost to India.

If New Zealand win on Monday they qualify for the semi-finals from Group A alongside India.

"It's the top eight in the world and you expect every game to be hard and full of pressure," said Simmons, a former West Indian all-rounder.

"New Zealand have been playing well but tomorrow is a new day so we will try and make sure that they don't play as well as they have been."

Bangladesh are sweating on the fitness of 39-year-old batsman Mahmudullah who missed the India game with a calf injury.

"He (Mahmudullah) has to do a fitness test and then we'll know after practise today whether he's fit enough. He is important for us," said Simmons of a player who has made 5,685 runs from 238 matches since his ODI debut in 2007.

©Cricket World 2025