Bracewell joins exclusive club with four-for vs Bangladesh in CT
New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell etched his name in the record books with a remarkable four-wicket haul against Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 match at Rawalpindi. The left-arm spinner’s career-best figures of 4-26 have placed him in an exclusive club, joining a select group of bowlers who have achieved the feat in international cricket.
Bracewell’s impressive performance came on the back of a string of impressive displays in recent times. His last four-wicket haul in an innings was against Sri Lanka at Pallekele in November 2024, where he claimed 4-36. The 31-year-old spinner has now taken a total of 31 wickets in 28 ODI matches, an impressive return that has earned him a spot in the New Zealand lineup.
The Rawalpindi pitch, which offered some assistance to the spinners, proved to be a perfect hunting ground for Bracewell. He started his spell by dismissing Bangladesh opener, Litton Das, with a beautifully flighted delivery that turned sharply, leaving the batsman no chance to react. He then struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Shakib Al Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto to reduce Bangladesh to 67-4.
Bracewell’s spell was characterized by his ability to vary his pace and trajectory, making it difficult for the Bangladesh batsmen to settle. He took his fourth wicket, that of Mehidy Hasan, with a cleverly disguised slower ball that caught the batsman off guard. The wicket was a testament to his growing skill and experience as a spinner.
Bracewell’s four-for was all the more impressive considering the conditions were not particularly favorable for spin bowling. The Rawalpindi pitch, although offering some turn and bounce, was not as conducive to spin as some of the other surfaces in the region. Nevertheless, the New Zealand spinner demonstrated his ability to adapt and thrive in different conditions.
The four-for against Bangladesh takes Bracewell’s wicket tally in the Champions Trophy 2025 to 10, making him one of the leading wicket-takers in the tournament. His impressive display has also put pressure on the Bangladesh batsmen, who will need to regroup and come up with a better plan to counter the Kiwi spinner’s skills.
Bracewell’s emergence as a top-class spinner has been a welcome development for New Zealand cricket. The team has been searching for a reliable spinner to support the likes of Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi, and the left-armer has filled that void admirably. His ability to take wickets on a variety of surfaces and his growing experience in international cricket make him a key player in the New Zealand lineup.
In conclusion, Michael Bracewell’s four-for against Bangladesh in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is a significant achievement that cements his status as one of the leading spinners in international cricket. His ability to adapt to different conditions and take wickets on a variety of surfaces makes him a valuable asset for the New Zealand team. As the tournament progresses, fans can expect to see more of the talented spinner, who is well on his way to becoming one of the top spinners in the world.
