Kane Williamson vs Mustafizur Rahman: Why The Kiwi Legend Can Dominate BAN Pacer?

Aakash Saini

Kane Williamson vs Mustafizur Rahman [Source: @mufaddal_vohra, @ICC/x]Kane Williamson vs Mustafizur Rahman [Source: @mufaddal_vohra, @ICC/x]

The New Zealand cricket team is set to face Bangladesh in the sixth match of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday, February 24. The potential nail-biter is poised to pave the way for numerous thrilling battles between players from both nations.

Kane Williamson’s prospective duel with senior Bangladesh paceman Mustafizur Rahman will likely stand out as one of the most captivating contests in the game, pitting the Kiwi stalwart’s experience and technique against the left-arm seamer’s craft and variations.

Ahead of the highly-awaited New Zealand vs Bangladesh showdown, here is a look at how Kane Williamson and Mustafizur Rahman have fared against each other so far in ODIs.

Why Will Kane Williamson Be Important For New Zealand?

  • Kane Williamson racked up 225 runs in just three innings for New Zealand during their emphatic tri-series winning campaign in Pakistan earlier this month. The 169-ODI veteran punched out a match-winning ton against South Africa and another scintillating 58 against Pakistan in the series.
  • While Kane Williamson averages a prolific 49.20 for New Zealand in ODIs, his batting average against Bangladesh reads a staggering 62.50 in 12 matches. The legendary right-hander has minted 500 runs against them in just 11 innings with a century and four additional fifty-plus scores.
  • One of New Zealand’s greatest batting exponents of all time at number three, Kane Williamson averages an astonishing 52.36 in the position. The 34-year-old has time and again pulled his team out of dire situations by mounting big runs in the middle overs of the innings.

Kane Williamson vs Mustafizur Rahman

Runs
Balls
Dismissals
Average
Strike Rate
8401,0252042.082.0

Table – Kane Williamson vs Left-Arm Pacers in ODIs

Kane Williamson holds a formidable track record against left-arm pacemen in ODI cricket, having scored 840 runs against them at an average of 42. Moreover, Williamson also tends to reap runs at a quick pace against left-arm faster men, considering he holds a strike rate of 82 despite occupying the most of his batting time during the middle overs of an innings.

Runs
Balls
Dismissals
Average
Strike Rate
54850-63.50

Table – Kane Williamson vs Mustafizur Rahman in ODIs

While Kane Williamson is yet to be dismissed by Mustafizur Rahman, the legendary New Zealand batter often finds it difficult to put the senior Bangladeshi paceman away for runs in ODIs. The former New Zealand captain, who holds a batting strike rate of nearly 82 in the format, strikes at a below par 63.50 against the fiery seamer.

Why Mustafizur Rahman Might Find It Tough Against Kane Williamson?

Mustafizur Rahman has taken 116 of his 173 ODI wickets against right-handed batters. Equally frugal with the old ball and the new, certain Mustafizur’s bowling stats like average and strike rate against right-handed batters are pretty much identical to his overall track record in 50-overs internationals format.

Criterion
Data
Innings106
Runs3,059
Wickets116
Economy Rate5.06
Strike Rate31.2

Table – Mustafizur Rahman Stats Against Right-Hand Batters In ODIs

While Mustafizur Rahman holds a fairly decent track record against right-handed batters in ODI cricket, he might find it tough against legendary New Zealand campaigner Kane Williamson. Mustafizur is yet to dismiss Williamson in ODI cricket, and the former ‘Black Caps’ skipper also tends to remain unfazed by the threat of left-arm pacers, unlike many other batters in world cricket.

However, Mustafizur Rahman can trouble Kane Williamson if he gets an early crack at the New Zealand batter with the new ball. While the seasoned Bangladeshi pacer is known for making the new ball talk, an early wicket or two might prompt New Zealand’s number three to make an early arrival to the crease.