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LAHORE, Pakistan :New Zealand booked their place in the final of the Champions Trophy against India after sparkling hundreds by Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson helped them earn a 50-run victory over South Africa in the second semi-final on Wednesday.
South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE Updates, Champions Trophy 2025 Semi-Final: Lungi Ngidi got the crucial breakthrough for South Africa after New Zealand were quick to get off the blocks in their Champions Trophy semi-final in Lahore. Ngidi dismissed Will Young in the eighth over after the Kiwis opted to bat.
South Africa vs New Zealand LIVE Streaming, Champions Trophy 2025 Semi-Final: Group B toppers South Africa take on Group A runners-up New Zealand in the second semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2025. South Africa displayed immense skill to comfortably win both completed games against Afghanistan and England, and look one of the most well-rounded teams in the competition. On the other hand, New Zealand stuttered to defeat against India after two resounding victories over Pakistan and Bangladesh. The Kiwis will also take heart from their win over South Africa in the very same stadium three weeks earlier, during the tri-series ahead of the Champions Trophy.
After the New Zealand batters collapsed against a potent Indian spin attack in their previous match, skipper Mitchell Santner has acknowledged the difficulties his side faced in the clash. But he still believes the conditions at the Gaddafi Stadium for their clash with South Africa will not assist spinners as the slower track in Dubai did. The second semifinal of the 2025 Champions Trophy will be an interesting clash, with both teams eyeing their first victory in a limited-overs ICC tournament. The Proteas enter the game with two wins and one no result, whereas New Zealand finished as the runner-up in Group A with convincing victories against Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble has hailed an exceptional Varun Chakaravarthy for picking 5-42 in India's 44-run win over New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy, saying the wrist-spinner has won matches for the teams he played for in last 1.5 years and that his recent performance is very encouraging for the Rohit Sharma led-side. At the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, Chakaravarthy returned figures of 5-42, the combined best bowling figures in the ongoing tournament, in just his second ODI game to bamboozle New Zealand and ensure India end as Group A toppers.
Senior batter Tom Latham said New Zealand will take confidence from their recent win over South Africa in the tri-series when they face the same opponents in the semifinal of the Champions Trophy in Lahore on Wednesday. New Zealand lost to India by 44 runs in their final Group A match here on Sunday but Latham said it would have no bearing on the semifinal. Recently, New Zealand successfully chased 305 against South Africa in Lahore and then went on to win the tri-series, beating Pakistan in the final, and Latham feels those experiences will hold them in good stead on Wednesday.
Spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel lavished praises on mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy for his maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs in India's 44-run over New Zealand in the last Champions Trophy Group A game in Dubai, saying it is really difficult to read the spinner's mind, and if a batter misses his googly, there is a high chance of losing a wicket. New Zealand's bowlers did well to restrict India's batting line-up, with Shreyas Iyer (79) and Hardik Pandya (45) leading the way as the Asian side posted a competitive total of 249/9 after they were sent in to bat first.
DUBAI : Spinner Varun Chakravarthy emerged from the dugout to produce a match-winning display against New Zealand in his Champions Trophy debut on Sunday while also leaving India with a "happy headache" ahead of the tournament's knockout stage.