Michael Bracewell records best Champions Trophy figures for NZ spinner
What's the story
Star all-rounder Michael Bracewell has scripted history by registering the best bowling figures for a New Zealand spinner in ICC Champions Trophy history.
The achievement came during the 2025 Champions Trophy encounter against Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Bracewell's figures worth 4/26 also stands as the fourth-best by any New Zealand bowler in the tournament's history.
Notably, Bangladesh racked up 236/9 in 50 overs after being invited to bat.
Match details
Bracewell's remarkable performance against Bangladesh
Bracewell bowled an unbroken spell of 10 overs, taking the wickets of Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mahmudullah. His final figures read an impressive 4/26, including as many as 43 dot balls.
William ORourke was the only other Kiwi bowler with multiple wickets in the match. Meanwhile, Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson took a wicket apiece.
Tournament progress
Bracewell's CT journey and ODI stats
Bracewell started his Champions Trophy campaign with figures of 1/38 against Pakistan, which the Black Caps won by a comfortable margin of 60 runs.
Now, against Bangladesh, he claimed his career-best bowling figures in ODI cricket.
Bracewell made his ODI debut in 2022, having taken 31 wickets at an average of 31.41. His tally includes two four-wicket hauls.
Information
Bracewell goes past PJ Wiseman
As per ESPNcricinfo, Bracewell broke the record of PJ Wiseman, who had the previous-best figures for a Kiwi spinner in Champions Trophy. Overall, among NZ bowlers, Bracewell is behind Jacob Oram, Shayne O'Connor, and Shane Bond.