New Zealand vs South Africa live updates: Champions Trophy 2nd semi-final
LAHORE: The second semifinal of the Champions Trophy will kick off shortly. New Zealand who came in second in Group A, will face South Africa who topped Group B in what is sure to be a thrilling match. All the major updates can be found right here as they happen on the field.
Match Information
The match is taking place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. New Zealand began the tournament by thrashing Pakistan in the opener. After setting a score of 320 runs, thanks to a century each from Will Young and Tom Latham, the Kiwis dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup, sending the men in green packing for only 260 runs. They would then comfortably beat Bangladesh in their second match, by holding their opponents to only 236 runs, before Rachin Ravindra’s century propelled the Kiwis to 240. New Zealand fell short in their final group stage match against India. Despite holding India to only 249, Varun Chakravarthy’s five-fer destroyed any chance New Zealand had to complete their chase.
South Africa didn’t lose a single game in the group stage, but they didn’t win all of them either. After handily defeating Afghanistan, courtesy of a century from Ryan Rickelton and some great bowling from Kagiso Rabada and company, the Proteas would never get their chance to face Australia. Rain ended the match before it even began. But, South Africa would win their final group stage match against England as they held them down to only 179 runs and comfortably made the chase.
Now, South Africa are hoping to continue their loss-less streak. However, it wont be easy to do against the formidable New Zealand squad they face today.
Also read: Steven Smith retires from ODI format effective immediately
New Zealand beat South Africa by 50 runs to reach Champions Trophy final
New Zealand have beaten South Africa by 50 runs in the second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy.
The Kiwis will now face India in the final on Sunday, March 9, in Dubai.
Batting first, New Zealand scored a record-breaking total of 362 runs, setting the highest-ever total in the ICC Champions Trophy history.
They surpassed Australia’s previous best of 356 runs in the tournament.
Rachin Ravindra led the charge with a stunning 108-run knock, while Kane Williamson also smashed a century, scoring 102 runs.
Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips contributed valuable 49 runs each, powering New Zealand to an imposing total.
For South Africa, Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets, while Kagiso Rabada took two, and Wiaan Mulder grabbed one.
In reply, South Africa could score only 312 runs at the loss of nine wickets within the stipulated 50 overs.
David Miller completed his ton on last ball of the match but he couldn’t celebrate as his team had lost the match.
Posted on: March 5, 2025Eight down South Africa need 108 runs in 29 balls to win
When the team reached the 200-runs mark, Wiaan Mulder fell for eight runs off 13 balls.
He was followed by Marco Jansen, who could contribute just three runs off seven deliveries.
Keshav Maharaj quickly followed him, falling for just one run.
Posted on: March 5, 2025South Africa lose five wickets
South Africa faced a setback as they lost five wickets in quick succession, struggling to build momentum.
The third wicket fall at 161 runs when Rassie van der Dussen was dismissed after scoring a solid 69.
Soon after, Heinrich Klaasen managed just 3 runs before being caught out, leaving South Africa in trouble at 167 for four.
Klaasen was followed by Aiden Markram, bowled out by Ravindra for 31 runs off 29 balls. He hit three fours.
South Africa now stand at 189/5 after 34 overs.
Posted on: March 5, 2025Skipper Bavuma falls
Skipper Temba Bavuma fell to a delivery bowled by Santner. He made a very loose attempt to go over cover but the balls landed into Williamson’s hands.
He scored 56 runs of 71 balls, hitting four 4s and one six.
South Africa stand at 132/2 after 23 overs.
Posted on: March 5, 2025South Africa faces first blow
South Africa faced first blow in 4th over when Ryan Rickelton fell to Henry’s delivery.
He could score only 17 runs off 12 balls.
Skipper Temba Bavuma, and Rassie van der Dussen are currently at strike.
South Africa stand at 77/1 after 13 overs.
Posted on: March 5, 2025New Zealand set 363-run target
New Zealand scored a record-breaking total of 362 runs, setting the highest-ever total in the ICC Champions Trophy history.
They surpassed Australia’s previous best of 356 runs in the tournament.
Rachin Ravindra led the charge with a stunning 108-run knock, while Kane Williamson also smashed a century, scoring 102 runs.
Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips contributed valuable 49 runs each, powering New Zealand to an imposing total.
For South Africa, Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three wickets, while Kagiso Rabada took two, and Wiaan Mulder grabbed one.
South Africa now needs 363 runs to win and secure a spot in the final.
Posted on: March 5, 2025Daryl Mitchell dismissed
In the 46th over, Daryl Mitchell perished just one run shy of a half century.
Daryl played a daring inning, scoring 49 runs off 37 balls.
He hit four 4s and one six.
New Zealand now stand at 333/5 after 47 overs.
Posted on: March 5, 2025300 runs for Kiwis
New Zealand have achieved the 300-runs mark, thanks to tons added by Ravindra and Williamson.
With four overs remaining, Kiwis can cross even the 350-runs mark.
Posted on: March 5, 2025Tom Latham gone
In the 41st over, Rabada bowled Tom Latham out for just four runs off five balls.
New Zealand now stand at 264/4 after 42 overs.
Posted on: March 5, 2025Kane Williamson perishes
Right after scoring ton, Kane Williamson had to face yorker by Wiaan Mulder, which he luckily survived.
But Mulder was seemingly determined to sent Williamson off and finally trapped him on the fifth ball of the over, during which Williamson had smashed century.
Posted on: March 5, 2025Kane Williamson scores ton in style
Kane Williamson smashed his 15th ODI century by hitting four on Wiaan Mulder’s delivery.
He took his helmet off to celebrate his stunning inning.
Posted on: March 5, 2025Rachin Ravindra dismissed
Klaasen b Rabada dimissed Rachin Ravindra for 108 (101).
Posted on: March 5, 2025Rachin Ravindra smashes ton
Rachin Ravindra scored a brilliant century, smashing 12 fours and a six.
With this knock, Ravindra has now scored five centuries in ICC events, setting a new record for the most hundreds by a New Zealand batter in ICC tournaments.
The 24-year-old has achieved this feat in just 12 matches, surpassing Kane Williamson and Nathan Astle, who each have three centuries in ICC events for New Zealand.
Posted on: March 5, 2025Kane Williamson brings up 50
Kane Williamson brought up his 50 in the 28th over. He send the delivery from Aiden Markram high into the air, but there was no fielder to catch it, allowing Williamson to complete a double to bring up his 50. He celebrated by hitting a four on the very next ball with a reverse sweep.
Williamson has made 55 runs off 63 deliveries, hitting four fours and one six along the way.
New Zealand stands at 169 for one after 28 overs.
Posted on: March 5, 202525 overs later, New Zealand in full control
New Zealand have completed 25 overs in their innings, and they are well on their way to a great score. They have only lost one wicket, and put 143 runs on the board.
Rachin Ravindra has been leading the charge, as he has scored 80 runs off the 75 deliveries hes faced, hitting 11 fours and one six in the process.
Alongside him is Kane Williamson, who is closing in on a half century of his own, currently sitting at 39 runs. Together, they have made a partnership of 95 runs.
New Zealand stand at 143 for one after 25 overs.
Posted on: March 5, 2025Ravindra brings up his 50 in style
Rachin Ravindra brought up his half century on the first ball of the eighteenth over, with a pull shot that sent Wiaan Mulder’s shorter delivery past third man for four. That shot also brought Ravindra’s partnership with Kane Williamson up to 50.
But he wasn’t done yet. Ravindra hit two more fours in the over, to bring his total up to 59 runs. His partnership with Williamson is up to 61.
New Zealand stand at 109 for one after 18 overs.
Posted on: March 5, 202515 overs completed! Drink break
After 15 overs, Rachin Ravindra is still going strong and is now just nine runs away from a half century. He has made 41 runs off 39 deliveries and hit six fours along the way.
His partnership with Kane Williamson is up to 39 runs. Williamson has made 23 runs off 28 deliveries, hitting three in the process.
New Zealand stand at 87 for one after 15 overs.
Posted on: March 5, 2025NZ 56 for 1 after 10 overs
New Zealand have played ten overs of their innings and scored 56 runs, while losing one wicket.
Rachin Ravindra is up to 29 runs, which he made off 29 balls. On the pitch with him is Kane Williamson, who has scored five runs off eight deliveries after replacing Will Young.
New Zealand stand at 56 for one after 10 overs.
Posted on: March 5, 2025Will Young caught out!
Will Young was caught out by Aiden Markram on the penultimate ball of the eight over. Young came down the pitch and hit Lungi Ngidi’s delivery straight up in the air, before landing at mid-off in Markram’s hands.
Young made 21 runs before he was dismissed on the 23rd delivery he faced. He hit three fours along the way.
New Zealand stand at 48 for one after eight overs.
Posted on: March 5, 2025Three fours for Ravindra in the 7th!
Rachin Ravindra kicked it up a gear in the seventh over as he hit three fours. On Marco Jansen’s third delivery of the over, a beautifully timed shot sent the ball through cover. Ravindra would then hit two more on the final two deliveries of the over. First a check-drive through mid-wicket, then a third through extra cover.
New Zealand stand at 44 for no loss after seven overs.
Posted on: March 5, 2025Young and Ravindra steady through six
Will Young and Rachin Ravindra have made 30 runs together through six overs, giving New Zealand a run rate of 5.
Young has scored 17 runs off 18 deliveries, 12 of which came off three fours, while Ravindra has added 12 off 18, eight of which came off two fours.
New Zealand stand at 30 for no loss after six overs.
Posted on: March 5, 2025Toss, opening comments, and playing XIs
New Zealand won the toss and will bat.
South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma said that while he wanted to bat, he wasnt too concerned about the toss. He announced his return into the squad and stated that in order to get to the finals, they must identify and win key moments.
New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner said the team knows what to expect in these conditions. He added that with the wind, he densest expect there to be too much dew.
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
Posted on: March 5, 2025