New Zealand secured a 50-run victory against South Africa in the second semi-finals of the Champions Trophy 2025 and is set to clash against India in the finals on March 09.
After posting a mammoth score on the board, New Zealand bowlers haunted the Proteas lineup to defend their total. David Miller who stood firm at the crease, smashed his hundred in a losing cause which could not save South Africa in the run chase.
New Zealand will now travel to Dubai to meet India in the summit clash on Sunday. Batting first, Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson posted centuries for a solid start for kiwis.
Despite losing the wicket of Will Young early for 21 runs, Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson forged a phenomenal 154 run partnership for the second wicket.Both went on to smash centuries to push their total.
After Rabada dismissed Rachin Ravindra for 108 runs in the 34th over, Willamson lost his wicket for 102 runs off 94 deliveries to Mulder in the 40th over.
Later Daryl Mitchell’s 49 runs and Glenn Phillip’s 49 runs in the middle order has put New Zealand on driver seat in their innings.
Clinical New Zealand punch in their 🎟️ to the #ChampionsTrophy 2025 final 🤩🇳🇿#SAvNZ ✍️: https://t.co/hC03MeIiDY pic.twitter.com/WnclpKL0ZS
— ICC (@ICC) March 5, 2025
Lungi Ngidi scalped three wickets for the side while Rabada dismissed two and Wiaan Mulder has one dismissal.
In the pursuit of chasing a huge score, South Africa lost the wicket of Ryan Rickelton for 17 runs.
Bavuma and Rassie has helped the side to cross the 100-run mark. Bavuma has slammed his 7th ODI fifty off 64 deliveries in the match.
However Santner picked three crucial wickets in South Africa’s line up to give a huge momentum for the side.
He went on to dismiss dangerous batters Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen in Proteas 363 run chase at Lahore.
Mitchell Santner broke the 105-run partnership between Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen by dismissing the former for 56 runs. He went on to dismiss Dussen for 69 runs in the 27th over before dismissing dangerous Klaasen in his very next over.
South Africa lost four wickets for 167 runs. David Miller who came to bat remained unbeaten in the chase scoring 100 runs in 67 deliveries.
But the side lost back to back wickets which was most required for Kiwis to defend their total.
Mitchell Santner’s three wickets played a crucial role in the side’s victory. Glenn Phillip and Matt Henry picked two wickets each while Michael Bracewell and Ravindra bagged a wicket each at Lahore.
