New Delhi, February 25 (HS):

New Zealand and India have stormed into the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 from Group A, leaving hosts Pakistan and Bangladesh out of contention.

New Zealand leave for Dubai on Tuesday morning, captain Mitchell Santner confirmed after the Bangladesh match. He lauded Player of the Match Michael Bracewell for setting up the victory over Bangladesh.

We knew Bangladesh would be a tough challenge on this wicket and I think the way we were able to pull it back with the ball in the middle (overs) was pleasing, Santner said at the post-match presentation.

That’s probably the hardest thing in one-day cricket, to take wickets in the middle, and I think Bracewell was outstanding.

Bracewell bowled his ten overs on the trot to finish with figures of 4 for 26 – 43 dots included – as New Zealand restricted Bangladesh to 236 for 9, and then the chase was directed by centurion Rachin Ravindra, who stroked 112 off 105.

Bangladesh had been 45 for 0 when Bracewell came on in the ninth over, but he struck straightaway, and by the time he was done in the 27th, they had fallen to 119 for 5.

Bracewell said he was happy to contribute to sealing the semi-final spot, and the experience he gained from the preceding tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa helped.

It’s awesome to contribute to a win. The main focus was coming here and getting the win and securing that semi-final spot, and we were able to do that today, Bracewell said

This is the sixth edition where the Men in Blue have made it to the semi-finals. They reached the last four in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2013 and 2017. For New Zealand, this will be the fourth semi-final and the first since 2009.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar