NZ Vs SA: New Zealand defeated South Africa by 50 runs in the second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
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The Black Caps soar into the final, setting up a showdown with India in Dubai. They are aiming for their second Champions Trophy title.
For South Africa, following the letdown of the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final and the heartache of the 2024 T20 World Cup final, this loss adds another painful chapter to their story of near-misses.
Chasing down 363 was always going to be a challenging task, particularly with the pitch not fully flattening under the lights and the occasional delivery still gripping the surface.
Ryan Rickelton (17) started with a couple of boundaries but was dismissed by a delivery that jagged off the surface. Captain Temba Bavuma had a tough start against a tight Kiwi new-ball attack but quickly settled into his stride. Together with Rassie van der Dussen, he formed a solid partnership that helped maintain the required run rate.
Captain Bavanuma (56) was dismissed by his Kiwi counterpart, but Rassie van der Dussen kept the Proteas on track. At the halfway point, both teams scored 143, although South Africa lost one more wicket.
However, the game took a turn when Mitchell Santner delivered a crucial double strike, first dismissing Dussen (69) and before sending Heinrich Klaasen (3) back to the pavilion, creating a significant setback in the chase.
New Zealand’s spinners tightened their grip, and with wickets falling at the other end, David Miller was left to fight alone. He hammered a rapid century off 67 balls but was unable to guide his team to victory, remaining unbeaten as they ended their innings at 312/9 in 50 overs.
NZ Vs SA: 1st Inning
Earlier in the match, New Zealand chose to bat first on a solid batting surface, although slower deliveries held onto the wicket. Rachin Ravindra (108) and Kane Williamson (102) took control, putting together a dominant 164-run partnership, with both players scoring well-crafted centuries.
Their dismissals opened up an opportunity for South Africa to fight back, but vital contributions from Daryl Mitchell (49) and Glenn Phillips (49) kept New Zealand on track. With 83 runs coming from the final 6 overs, the Kiwis posted an impressive total of 362/6, setting a new record for the highest score in the tournament’s history.
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