Twitter Reactions: South Africa choke again as New Zealand prepare themselves for India in Dubai finale
The final will feature a reprise of the final group-stage game in Dubai.
New Zealand secured victory over South Africa by 50 runs in the second semi-final of the of the Champions Trophy 2025 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday, March 5. Consequently, the Kiwis will take on India in the summit clash in Dubai, scheduled to be played on Sunday, March 9.
Opting to bat first, New Zealand made a steady start to their innings. Although Will Young was dismissed in the eighth over, New Zealand's score read 56/1 after the first 10 overs. The first delivery of a 15-run Wiaan Mulder over saw Rachin Ravindra notch up his fifty in style. The first maximum of the innings came in the 25th over off the bowling of Keshav Maharaj.
Kane Williamson brought up his own half-century a couple of overs later, as the BlackCaps made steady progress. In the same over in which Kagiso Rabada was dispatched for 17 runs, Rachin secured up a masterfully compiled ton. He registered his fifth ton of the format in his flourishing career, each of them coming at ICC events. A change-of-pace delivery from Rabada led to the fall of Rachin. Williamson, on the other hand, breezed to his ton off 91 deliveries.
Mulder dismissed the former Kiwi skipper in the same over in which the latter got to his milestone. New Zealand upped the ante and ended their innings by amassing 110 for the loss of three wickets. Brisk 49s from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips played a significant role in their side ending up posting the highest-ever total in the history of the Champions Trophy. As for South Africa, Lungi Ngidi picked up three wickets, with Rabada chipping in with a two.
Ryan Rickelton looked good during his 12-ball stay, but was dismissed in the fifth over itself. From that juncture, Temba Bavuma teamed up with Rassie van der Dussen to further the chase. However, some really tight bowling from New Zealand's end ensured the two did not score any boundaries between overs 12 and 17. Bavuma brought up his fifty before van der Dussen.
However, two beautifully flighted deliveries by Mitchell Santner brought about the wickets of both the set batters. Bavuma was caught at backward point. On the other hand, van der Dussen was undone by an absolute peach of a delivery which went on to crash onto the stumps. A lot was expected from Heinrich Klaasen. However, the wicketkeeper-batter perished after adding only three to the scoreboard.
South Africa lost their fifth wicket in the form of Aiden Markram, after he offered a return catch to Rachin. Michael Bracewell got his first breakthrough on the final delivery of his spell. It was a lone hand by David Miller as wickets kept falling around him. Although Rabada stuck around for a while, it was mainly due to the relentless grit and power-hitting of the southpaw that South Africa ended up northwards of 300. The veteran brought up a thoroughly-merited century off the final delivery of the game.
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