LAHORE: New Zealand have secured their place in the ICC Champions Trophy final after a commanding 50-run victory over South Africa in Lahore.
At one stage, the Proteas appeared to be on course for a comfortable chase, but a flurry of wickets and a lack of partnerships saw them crumble under pressure.
As has often been the case in high-stakes matches, South Africa faltered at a crucial juncture, reinforcing their reputation as ‘chokers’.
Even a brilliant century from David Miller could not rescue them. The left-hander played a valiant knock of 100 runs off just 67 balls, but it was not enough to prevent another painful exit for his side.
Final in Dubai
New Zealand will now head to Dubai for Sunday’s final. The tournament, which had been long anticipated in Pakistan, came to an abrupt end for the hosts, who were eliminated within just five days.
However, the Champions Trophy once again showcased the immense appetite for top-tier cricket among Pakistani fans, particularly at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium.
South Africa’s Marco Jansen endured a torrid outing, finishing with figures of 0 for 79 from 10 overs.
His struggles continued with the bat, as he was dismissed lbw for just 3 off 7 balls while attempting a sweep against Glenn Phillips.
It was another disappointing semi-final for Jansen, who had also endured a tough match against Australia in the 2023 World Cup semi-final in Kolkata.
With South Africa’s lower order requiring nearly 12 runs per over, desperation led to reckless shot-making.
Wiaan Mulder, batting at No. 7, tried a slog-sweep off the final ball of Michael Bracewell’s spell but only managed to find Rachin Ravindra at deep backward square.
Bracewell finished with 1 for 53, as New Zealand confirmed their place in the final.
Rachin Ravindra’s standout performance
Rachin Ravindra delivered a match-winning performance with both bat and ball. After scoring a superb century – his fifth in ODI cricket – he was handed the ball by captain Mitchell Santner, possibly due to Matt Henry’s injury, and struck in his second over.
Aiden Markram, who had looked set, was dismissed for 31 off 29 balls as Ravindra made the crucial breakthrough.
Santner then continued his outstanding spell, finishing with 2 for 28 from his first six overs, as South Africa found themselves struggling at 191 for 5 in 34 overs, needing over nine runs per over.
Heinrich Klaasen, in fine form with five consecutive ODI fifties, attempted to attack Santner but was caught off a superb low catch by Henry, who injured his right shoulder in the process.
Bracewell then delivered a disciplined spell, bowling 117 dot balls in the tournament—the most by any bowler, surpassing India’s Axar Patel.
South Africa’s Early Struggles
Temba Bavuma had a difficult outing, struggling for fluency before being dismissed for 6 off 21 balls while attempting a lofted shot against Santner. He was earlier dropped by Kane Williamson but failed to capitalise on the reprieve.
Rassie van der Dussen, meanwhile, fought hard to bring up his third consecutive ODI fifty. He was supported by Bavuma, who briefly lifted the scoring rate by pulling Kyle Jamieson for the first six of the innings.
Earlier, Matt Henry struck early to remove Ryan Rickelton, who had looked in good touch with four boundaries but ended up chipping a leading edge to Bracewell at short cover. Henry, in outstanding ODI form and currently ranked No. 3 in the ICC rankings, had recently taken a five-wicket haul against India.
With New Zealand now heading to Dubai for the final, South Africa’s wait for an ICC trophy continues.
Keshav Maharaj’s dismissals
This could end quickly as South Africa’s lower order needs nearly 12 runs per over, forcing them to go for boundaries. South are 237 for 8 in 42.1 overs.
Wiaan Mulder, at No. 7, attempts a slog-sweep off the last ball of Bracewell’s spell but only finds Rachin Ravindra at deep backward square. Bracewell finishes with 1 for 53, and New Zealand can now book their flights to the UAE.
Runs with the bat, and now a vital wicket with the ball. Rachin Ravindra is having a brilliant night in this semi-final.
As if his fifth ODI century was not enough, he has been thrown the ball by captain Santner to try and burgle through a couple of cheap overs – perhaps wary of Henry’s shoulder injury – and strikes in his second over.
South Africa struggle
South Africa’s chase of New Zealand’s massive target of 363 runs has encountered multiple setbacks in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final.
With their chase now in jeopardy, the Proteas find themselves at 191 for 5 in 34 overs, requiring more than 9 runs per over to reach the target.
Rachin Ravindra’s Crucial Contribution: Earlier, New Zealand posted an impressive total of 362 for 5, powered by centuries from Rachin Ravindra (108) and Kane Williamson (102).
Ravindra’s century, his fifth in ICC events, was pivotal in New Zealand’s strong position, while Williamson’s quick-fire 91-ball century solidified their total.
South Africa’s woes
South Africa’s response to the massive target started with early troubles. Opener Ryan Rickelton was dismissed cheaply for 15, caught by Michael Bracewell off Matt Henry’s bowling.
Skipper Temba Bavuma also struggled for timing, eventually falling for just six runs to Mitchell Santner. Despite Rassie van der Dussen’s fifty (his third consecutive in the tournament), South Africa were 143 for 2 in the 25th over, still facing an uphill task.
The situation worsened when Aiden Markram was dismissed for 31 by Rachin Ravindra, leaving South Africa 191 for 5 in the 34th over.
South Africa 143/2 after 25 overs
South Africa’s chase of 363 runs against New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final took another blow as they lost their second wicket in the 23rd over.
Skipper Temba Bavuma, who had struggled for timing, was dismissed for just six runs by Mitchell Santner.
Bavuma, who had initially faced challenges against spin, mistimed a lofted shot off Santner, sending the ball into the hands of Kane Williamson at backward point.
Bavuma had previously been dropped by Williamson at short midwicket in the 21st over, but the fielder made amends shortly after.
South Africa are now 143 for 2 in 25 overs, with Rassie van der Dussen bringing up his third consecutive fifty and Aiden Markram joining him at the crease.
South Africa suffer early setback
South Africa suffered an early setback in their chase of 363 runs against New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday.
Opener Ryan Rickelton, who had looked in fine touch with four boundaries, fell to Matt Henry, chipping a catch to Michael Bracewell at short cover.
Henry, in outstanding ODI form, continues his rise in the ICC bowling rankings.
Skipper Temba Bavuma struggled early, managing just 3 off 18 balls before finding his first boundary through midwicket off Kyle Jamieson. South Africa are 69 for 1 after 11 overs, with a daunting task ahead.
New Zealand set 363-Run Target
Earlier, New Zealand have posted a formidable total of 362 for 5. Centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson powered the Black Caps to their highest-ever total in a Champions Trophy knockout match.
South Africa now face the daunting challenge of completing the highest-ever successful chase in an ODI knockout match to secure a spot in Sunday’s final in Dubai.
New Zealand scored 98 in the last six vs Pakistan in that first game of last month’s tri-series here in Lahore, with Glenn Phillips scoring a hundred. They’re on track for something similar with 64 off the last four overs.
South Africa are struggling to contain the innings as Phillips hits Jansen for four consecutive boundaries – one over mid-off and three past square leg. Jansen’s figures are now 0 for 73 from nine overs.
Daryl Mitchel’s hitting
Daryl Mitchell shifts gears, hitting Ngidi for six over the leg side and getting a life when Mulder drops a tough catch running in. He then cuts hard to reach 48 off 35, having been 21 off 26 just two overs ago. Great acceleration.
Latham’s innings is short-lived. South Africa tried to squeeze him early, setting five fielders in the 30-yard circle. He attempted to play a pull shot off Rabada but didn’t get going.
Williamson falls later in Mulder’s over, scooping a wide Yorker straight to Ngidi at short fine leg. Curiously, New Zealand have sent Tom Latham in with 10 overs left – even with Glenn Phillips and Michael Bracewell in the sheds. New Zealand are 257 for 4 in 41.1 overs.
Williamson scores a 91-ball century, bringing it up with a scoop for four off Wiaan Mulder, who is back after a hip injury but continues to be attacked. Williamson took 61 balls for his half-century and just 30 more to reach his hundred.
Ravindra’s dismissal
Kagiso Rabada strikes with an offcutter wide outside off stump, and Ravindra edges to Klaasen, who takes the catch.
South Africa secures their second wicket, but New Zealand still have plenty of power in the middle order with Daryl Mitchell at No. 4. A brilliant century from Ravindra.
Rachin Ravindra scores his fifth ODI century, all in ICC events – three in the 2023 World Cup and two in the Champions Trophy. At just 25, he has more ICC event hundreds than any other New Zealand batter. Kane Williamson was dropped on 56.
A tight start as Ravindra, eager to play a big shot after three dots, is calmed by Williamson.
Markram bowled his first over of the tournament, with quick off breaks. It will be interesting to see if Ravindra targets him.
Rachin Ravindra’s 50
Rachin Ravindra brings up a 47-ball fifty with a pull for four off Wiaan Mulder, then adds two more boundaries in the 18th over as New Zealand’s run rate rises above six.
The second four shows his adjustment to the pitch, timing a one-bounce shot over midwicket. The third is a perfect on-drive, beating mid-on. He scores 15 off the over.
New Zealand are in control. Williamson faced a maiden from Kagiso Rabada but hit him for a four through midwicket, while Ravindra keeps scoring steadily.
Williamson walks out
Two unbeaten hundreds in a row for Kane Williamson against South Africa in ODIs: one in last month’s tri-series at this same venue, and the other in the 2019 World Cup at Edgbaston.
Ngidi gets the wicket as Will Young misjudges his slower ball, edging a simple catch to mid-off. On this pitch, seam-up deliveries from pacers have been flying.
Rachin Ravindra is in excellent form, hitting Marco Jansen for three boundaries in four balls in the seventh over.
Two are driven through cover, and the other is timed through midwicket. This pitch favors timing over power and has a fast outfield.
New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat first against South Africa in the second semi-final of ICC Champions Trophy in Lahore on Wednesday.
South Africa Playing XI
1 Temba Bavuma (capt), 2 Ryan Rickelton, 3 Rassie van der Dussen, 4 Aiden Markram, 5 Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 6 David Miller, 7 Wiaan Mulder, 8 Marco Jansen, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Lungi Ngidi.
New Zealand Playing XI
1 Will Young, 2 Rachin Ravindra, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Glenn Phillips, 7 Michael Bracewell, 8 Mitchell Santner (capt), 9 Matt Henry, 10 Kyle Jamieson, 11 Will O’Rourke.
