New Zealand Book Place in ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final

New Zealand reaches the finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 following a comfortable win over South Africa in Lahore. The Kiwis posted the highest total ever in Champions Trophy history. South Africa struggled throughout the chase and lost the match by 50 runs.

New Zealand: Ravindra, Williamson trouble the Proteas

Mitchell Santner opted to bat. Will Young and Rachin Ravindra posted 48 runs for the first wicket. Kane Williamson joined the left-handed batsman and these two took charge at the bowlers. These two scored 164 runs for the second wicket. Ravindra scored a superb hundred but gave his wicket on 108.

Kane Williamson continued the charge. He stood at the crease with Daryl Mitchell. Williamson scored a superb ton and added 104 runs to the team’s total. Mitchell continued to add runs. Some of the Kiwi batsmen came and went. Mitchell scored quickfire 49 in just 37 balls.

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Glenn Phillips took the charge towards the end. The hard-hitting batsman scored a quickfire 49 in just 27 balls. His innings was crucial in taking New Zealand above the 350 runs mark. The Kiwis posted 362 runs, the highest total in the Champions Trophy. Ngidi took three wickets and Rabada took two. Wiaan Mulder took one wicket and others failed to give their side a breakthrough. This was a huge total in front of the Proteas.

Decent start but middle order fails

South Africa knew that they had to put their feet on the accelerator. They needed more than seven runs per over. Bavuma struggled a bit against Kyle Jamieson. This added a bit of pressure on Ryan Rickelton. He tried to attack but lost his wicket to Matt Henry.

Rassie van der Dussen joined his captain in the middle. Both created a 105-run stand for the second wicket. Bavuma picked up the pace and ended up scoring 56 runs. His strike rate of 79 was not enough to lower the pressure on other teammates. Van der Dussen scored 69 in just 66 balls.

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Aiden Markram was unable to convert his 31-run start. Heinrich Klaasen and Wiaan Mulder failed to get into the double figures. Marco Jansen just added three runs to the total. Only David Miller stood in the middle and the rest of the batters got out cheaply.

David Miller went on to score a century in just 67 balls. His effort was not enough to take the Proteas over the line. Santner was the best bowler of the night. He took three wickets for just 43 runs. Matt Henry and Glenn Phillips added two wickets each. Bracewell and Ravindra also managed to get into the wickets.

The Grand Finale

The Kiwis will face India at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Both teams met each other in the group stage. India emerged as the winner. Dubai has offered a lot of help to the spin bowlers. Rohit & Co. will look to take advantage of the conditions. New Zealand, on the other hand, will be eyeing to win their second Champions Trophy.