RAWALPINDI: Pakistan, defending champions and hosts of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, have been eliminated from the eight-team tournament after New Zealand beat Bangladesh by five wickets at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

After suffering two consecutive defeats, Pakistan’s hopes of advancing to the next stage relied on the outcomes of the remaining Group A matches. However, New Zealand’s triumph sealed the fate of both Pakistan and Bangladesh, eliminating them from the tournament.

As a result, New Zealand and India have advanced to the semi-final stage from Group A. Pakistan and Bangladesh will play a purely ceremonial match on February 27 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium as the outcome will not affect the outcome of Group A, except deciding the last two teams. Chasing a modest 237, New Zealand got off to a worst possible start as they lost Will Young, the centurion of their game against Pakistan, without a run on the scoreboard.

He was bowled by Taskin Ahmed in the very first over. Rachin Ravindra joined opener Devon Conway, and the pair added 47 crucial runs for the third wicket. Devon Conway’s 30-run knock, laced with six fours, ended when he was bowled by Mustafizur Rehman, leaving New Zealand 72-3.

The match-defining partnership came when Tom Latham joined Rachin Ravindra, and together they stitched a 129-run stand for the fourth wicket. Rachin Ravindra went on to complete a magnificent century, adorned with 12 fours and a six, before falling to Rishad Hossain for 112 off 105 deliveries.