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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.
India pace spearhead Mohammed Shami has broken ranks by admitting that playing all their Champions Trophy games at one venue in Dubai has been to their advantage. Shami returned figures of 3-48 to set up India's four-wicket win over Australia in the semi-finals on Tuesday in Dubai. India coach Gautam Gambhir afterwards lashed out at critics who have said playing at the same Dubai International Cricket Stadium each time is unfair.
Centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson powered New Zealand to a big total of 362 for 6 -- the highest in Champions Trophy history -- against South Africa in the second semifinal at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday. The duo shared 164 runs for the second wicket to provide the perfect platform for the later batters to blast away in the final overs. New Zealand added 112 runs in the final 10 overs after reaching 250 in 40 overs. Daryl Mitchel (49 off 37 balls), Glenn Phillips (49 not out off 27) and Michael Bracewell (16 off 12) provided the fire power in the final overs as South African bowlers wilted on a good batting track. The semifinal will mark the end of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan as the final will now be played in Dubai on March 9 between India and the winners of Wednesday's match.
Senior batter Virat Kohli added another feather to his highly illustrious cap as he became India's leading run-scorer in the ICC Champions Trophy history during the semi-final clash against Australia at Dubai International Stadium on Tuesday. Kohli surpassed former India opener Shikhar Dhawan's tally of 701 runs in 10 games from 2013 to 2017. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly is the third-highest scorer for India in the tournament with 665 runs in 13 matches from 1998 to 2004. The 36-year-old reached the milestone during India's chase of 265. Kohli achieved the feat in his 17th Champions Trophy match for India.
Pakistan's interim head coach and national selector Aaqib Javed on Tuesday expressed concerns over the lack of consistency and continuity in Pakistan Cricket and rued that most players are just not playing four-day domestic games to improve their skillsets. Defending champions Pakistan suffered defeat in their opening two matches against New Zealand and India, which led to their elimination from the Champions Trophy. Their final Group A match against Bangladesh was washed out.
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.
South Africa and New Zealand will face off in the second semi-final in Lahore on Wednesday. While South Africa have had an easy route to the knockout stage, New Zealand started well with wins against host Pakistan and Bangladesh before crumbling against the Indian spinners in Dubai. The second semi-final will essentially be a contest between the two best fast bowling units on the best batting track in the tournament.