Entering the mini World Cup – ICC Champions Trophy after a leap of 11 years, underdogs Bangladesh have a high wall before them to scale. They are grouped with Australia, New Zealand and England in the 50-over mega event starting Thursday.

Under the captaincy of Mashrafe Mortaza, Bangladesh will take on the hosts England in the opening match at the Kennington Oval in London on Thursday.

The current form of Asian Tigers show them in bright light as they defeated New Zealand and Ireland in their last two ODI matches. The recently-concluded Ireland tri-series was won by New Zealand, though Bangladesh kept the spirits high throughout the series.

Besides having claimed the tri-series, Kane Williamson-led New Zealand carry a lot of power under their sleeves. Before the Ireland tri-series, the Kiwis hosted South Africa for a five-match ODI series that they lost by 2-3.

New Zealand would definitely look to settle the affair if they face South Africa, who are placed in the Group B of the Champions Trophy, in the knock-out stage of the tournament.

Besides the Black Caps, their neighbours Australia will also vie in the same group. The arch-rivals have always taken the fans to the edge of their seats whenever they clashed in an ICC event.

Remember the ICC World Cup 2015 final, where Australia outclassed New Zealand at the MCG to lift the title? It will be the double of action if they lock horns against each other in the final of the Champions Trophy at The Oval in London on 18 June.

In the group stage, Australia and Zealand will face each other on Friday, in the second match of the Champions Trophy.

Steve Smith-captained Australia are riding a roller-coaster in the ODIs since the start of the calendar year 2017 as they first routed Pakistan in five-match ODI series (4-1) and then lost a three-match ODI series to New Zealand (2-0).

The hosts England are also placed in the same group and would look to exploit home advantage against others in the tournament. Under the captaincy of Alastair Cook, England missed the title by runs in the 2013 edition of the Champions Trophy.

New gen skipper Eoin Morgan will try to better their records at the mini World Cup and look to seal their maiden Champions Trophy title.

The top two teams of respective groups will enter the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy with the leaders of one group facing the second-ranked team of the other group.