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New Zealand have confirmed their place in the final of the Champions Trophy 2025 after defeating South Africa in the semi-final in Lahore. Now, the Black Caps will face will India in the title clash in Dubai on March 9. Batting first, New Zealand posted a mammoth 362/6 in their 50 overs with Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra shining with respective tons. In reply, South Africa were restricted at 312/9 with David Miller scoring fighting hundred
Coming to bat after winning the toss, New Zealand got a good start as Rachin Ravindra and Will Young (21 off 23) added 48 runs for the first wicket in 7.5 overs. After that, Kane Williamson joined Ravindra at the crease as the duo put up a partnership of 164 runs for the second wicket. Ravindra was the first batter to get his hundred as he got out after scoring 108(101) runs hitting 13 fours and a six, while Williamson scored 102(94) runs with 10 fours and two sixes. Daryll Mitchell also contributed with 49(37) hitting four fours and a six while Glenn Phillips gave finishing touches with 49*(27) runs with six fours and a six. For the Proteas Lungi Ngidi scalped three wickets, Kagiso Rabada took two, while Wiaan Mulder put one in his bag.
David Miller's late 100 effort goes vain as South Africa failed to chase target
Chasing the winning target, South Africa lost Ryan Rickelton (17 off 12) early at the score of 20 runs in 4.5 overs. After that, skipper Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen put up a partnership of 105 runs for the second wicket, Bavuma played a captain’s knock of 56(71) runs with four fours and a six while Dussen got out after scoring 69 runs off 66 balls hittiing four fours and two sixes. Aiden Markram also scored 31(29) runs.
After that David Miller also played a fighting knock of 100*(67) runs but couldn't take his team down the line as South Africa fell short of New Zealand's total. Skipper Mitchell Santner led from the front with the figures of 3/43. Apart from that, Matt Henry and Glenn Phillips scalped two wickets each, while Michael Bracewell and Rachin Ravindra scaped a wicket each.
