LAHORE: New Zealand have posted a formidable total of 362 for 5 in the second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy against South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday.
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
2 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: 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: 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.
South Africa strike back
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.
100 for Williamson
A 91-ball hundred for Williamson, getting there with a scoop for four off Wiaan Mulder – who is back on the field after an hip injury scare, but continues to take some punishment from New Zealand’s batters.
Williamson took 61 balls to reach a half-century, then just 30 more to convert it into a century.
Kagiso Rabada strikes! Offcutter, wide line outside off stump, and Ravindra gets a thin edge through to Klaasen – who makes no mistake this time. South Africa finally get their second wicket, but New Zealand have power to burn in the middle order with Daryl Mitchell walking in at No. 4. Brilliant hundred from Ravindra.
In the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final against South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Rachin Ravindra has delivered a stellar performance, reaching his fifth ODI century.
Remarkably, all five of his centuries have come in ICC events—three during the 2023 World Cup and now two in the Champions Trophy.
At just 25 years old, Ravindra surpasses all other New Zealand batters in terms of centuries scored in ICC events.
His latest century came off 93 balls, featuring 12 fours and one six, underscoring his dominance on the international stage.
Kane Williamson’s steady support
Alongside Ravindra, captain Kane Williamson has been instrumental in building a formidable total. Williamson reached his half-century earlier in the innings and continues to anchor the batting lineup. The duo’s partnership has been pivotal in maintaining New Zealand’s strong position, with the scoreboard reading 202 for 1 after 32 overs.
New Zealand continues to dominate in the second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy against South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
After 31 overs, the Black Caps have amassed 183 runs for the loss of just one wicket.
Kane Williamson, who reached his half-century earlier, had a narrow escape on 56.
Attempting to drive a wide delivery through the cover-point region, he edged the ball towards the vacant slip area.
Wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen dived low to his right and managed to get a glove to it but couldn’t secure the catch.
This reprieve allowed Williamson to continue his innings, further consolidating New Zealand’s strong position.
Ravindra’s quick fifty
Rachin Ravindra showcased exceptional form, reaching a 47-ball half-century by pulling Wiaan Mulder for four.
He further accelerated New Zealand’s innings by striking two additional boundaries in the 18th over, elevating the run rate to over six per over. At the 21-over mark, New Zealand stood at 117 for 1.
Kane Williamson etched his name in the record books by becoming New Zealand’s top run-scorer in the ICC Champions Trophy, surpassing Stephen Fleming’s 441 runs in 13 innings.
Williamson achieved this milestone in just 10 innings, boasting four half-centuries and one century.
Despite playing out a maiden over from Kagiso Rabada, Williamson displayed his class by elegantly driving him through midwicket for four, while Ravindra continued to rotate the strike effectively.
New Zealand lose first wicket after explosive start
Will Young fell victim to Lungi Ngidi’s cunning slower delivery, mistiming an attempted lofted shot down the ground, resulting in a straightforward catch to mid-off.
On this surface, traditional seam-up deliveries have been dispatched with ease, suggesting that variations like Ngidi’s slower ball might be more effective.
Rachin Ravindra capitalised on the favourable batting conditions, dispatching Marco Jansen for three boundaries in four balls during the seventh over—two through cover drives and one through midwicket.
The pitch favours timing over brute force, complemented by a swift outfield.
Ngidi strikes
Will Young doesn’t pick Lungi Ngidi’s slower ball, and his attempt to launch him down the ground results in him plinking a simple catch to mid-off.
That might be the way to go on a surface like this: seam-up balls from the seamers have been flying away off the bat.
Lungi Ngidi breaks the solid New Zealand opening partnership to give South Africa a crucial breakthrough.#ChampionsTrophy #SAvNZ ✍️: https://t.co/dGzPWxoavO pic.twitter.com/OJ2XeHYY9u
— ICC (@ICC) March 5, 2025
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.
It is the second semi-final in Lahore, and the last match of the tournament that will be staged in Pakistan. The winner will face India in Sunday’s final in Dubai.
Will Young and Rachin Ravindra take on South Africa bowlers early 👊
Watch this live in your territory now – head here 👉 https://t.co/S0poKnxpTX#SAvNZ #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/pu9YLwRpQv
— ICC (@ICC) March 5, 2025
The ODI history between New Zealand and South Africa is rich with competitive encounters. Since their first ODI meeting in 1992, the two teams have faced each other 73 times.
South Africa leads with 42 victories, while New Zealand has secured 26 wins; five matches ended without a result.
This record highlights South Africa’s historical dominance, but New Zealand’s resilience has often made their contests unpredictable and thrilling.
Tournament journey
Both teams have showcased impressive form in the current Champions Trophy. South Africa remains unbeaten, topping Group B with decisive victories over Afghanistan and England; their match against Australia was washed out due to rain.
Their robust performances reflect a well-balanced side with strengths in both batting and bowling departments.
New Zealand’s journey has been equally commendable. They began their campaign with a commanding 60-run win over Pakistan, where Will Young and Tom Latham both scored centuries, leading the team to a total of 320/5.
Despite a setback against India, the Black Caps have demonstrated resilience and adaptability, traits crucial for success in knockout stages.
The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is known for its batting-friendly pitches, often leading to high-scoring encounters.
However, as the match progresses, spinners may find assistance, making middle-over strategies pivotal. The weather forecast predicts clear skies, ensuring an uninterrupted contest.
Both teams have historically faced the tag of ‘underachievers’ in ICC tournaments. South Africa’s last major ICC trophy dates back to 1998, while New Zealand clinched the Champions Trophy in 2000.
