David Miller scored his century off the last ball of the innings but could not prevent South Africa losing the Champions Trophy semi-final to New Zealand by 50 runs. With the win, New Zealand sealed a clash with India in the final on Sunday.
David Miller Celebration ❤️
But NZ Defeated South Africa in Semifinal ⭐ #NZvsSA pic.twitter.com/oi1z4OQEEU
— 𝐊𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐧𝐚 𝐝𝐰𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝𝐢 (@Krrishnahu) March 5, 2025
The final will be played at the Dubai International Stadium since India have refused to play any game in Pakistan, which is officially the host nation of the event.
ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2025🏆 – SEMI FINAL 2
SOUTH AFRICA 🇿🇦 🆚 🇳🇿 NEW ZEALAND
NEW ZEALAND 🇳🇿 won by 50 RUNS!
FINAL : INDIA 🇮🇳 🆚 🇳🇿 NEW ZEALAND#SAvNZ #SAvsNZ #ChampionsTrophy2025 #SemiFinal #INDvNZ #final #cricketaddiction pic.twitter.com/JXrC5Ui6Vh
— Cricket Addiction (@CricketAdd1ct) March 5, 2025
Batting first, New Zealand were spurred by centuries from Rachin Ravindra (108) and Kane Williamson (102). Besides the two centurions, the Black Caps were also buoyed by Glenn Phillips (unbeaten 49) and Daryl Mitchell (49). Lungi Ngidi (3/72) and Kagiso Rabada (2/70) were the best bowlers on the night for the Proteas. In the chase, Miller’s acceleration to get to the century came too late as the team fell 50 runs short. Besides Miller, only Rassie van der Dussen (69) and Temba Bavuma (56) managed to put up some fight.
The two finalists had also met in the group stage, where the Men in Blue had prevailed by 44 runs.
The Black Caps rebounded from that loss to India by smashing a Champions Trophy record total of 362/6 batting first on Wednesday. This is the third time that the record for the highest total at the Champions Trophy has been reset in the ongoing edition. All three times it has happened at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. England set the record in a Group B game with a 351/8 score. Australia then chased down the target in the same game to rewrite the record with a total of 356/5.
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