New Zealand Set Up 2025 Champions Trophy Final Against India With 50-Run Win Over South Africa
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New Zealand will now face India in the final of the Champions Trophy on March 9 in what will be a rematch of the two teams’ final group stage game.
Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson both put up centuries of their own to lead New Zealand to a record total of 362 (AP)
Powered by centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson, New Zealand ousted South Africa and registered a 50-run win to seal their spot in the final of the 2025 Champions Trophy in Lahore on Wednesday.
An all-round display of firepower from the NZ batting ranks would take them to a historic total of 362, the highest in the history of the Champions Trophy.
Despite a fighting unbeaten century from David Miller, SA would be undone in the chase by NZ skipper Mitchell Santner, who registered a fine spell of 3/43, before ultimately falling short by 50 runs in the end.
New Zealand will now face India in the final of the Champions Trophy on March 9 in what will be a rematch of the two teams’ final group stage game.
It was the Kiwis all day from the get-go, winning the toss and opting to bat first.
There was no stopping the riot that ensued with Ravindra and Williamson at the crease, as the duo sliced, diced, and walloped their way through the innings, after the early loss of Will Young, to bring up their dominant centuries.
The South African bowlers were left hapless and helpless through the entirety of the middle-overs. But ace pacer Kagiso Rabada struck twice to provide a bit of hope for the Proteans late, nearing the final 10 overs.
Yet, a fiery outing from the likes of Mitchell and Phillips, both of whom posted 49 runs each, powered the Kiwis to 362 runs by the end of their innings, the highest-ever total in Champions Trophy history.
South Africa put up a fight in the beginning of their chase, with skipper Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen notching a fine 105-run partnership, with fifties of their own.
But the duo would soon fall victim to the wily spin of Santner, leaving South Africa in a pickle at 161-3.
Following the losses, the Proteans would find it difficult to forge any meaningful partnerships as wickets fell at regular intervals with relative ease.
David Miller would try his best to weather the storm and keep the South Africans in the hunt with a scintillating 100* from 67 balls. But the veteran would lack the support from the other end, as SA would fall short of the target by 50 runs.