New Zealand faces South Africa in tough semi-final clash

New Zealand will be eager to bounce back from their disappointing outing against India in Dubai, in their last group stage game, when they face a formidable South African side in the second semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday.

Kiwis, who entered the Champions Trophy after winning a tri-nation series which included Pakistan and South Africa, have emerged as one of the hot favorites for the title.

After beating Pakistan by 60 runs and Bangladesh by five wickets in their first two games, New Zealand lost their way against India's spin attack in the last match of Group A. But they have the capability to beat the Proteas, who have been undefeated in this event so far.

The best thing in New Zealand's team is that they are doing well in every department. Right from the tri-nation series till now, almost all of their top six batters have delivered when it mattered most.

New Zealand’s spinners, including Michael Bracewell and Mitchel Santner, have also been impressive. Meanwhile, their pace-attack has been smartly led by the experienced Matt Henry. The right-armer is also the leading wicket taker with eight wickets to his credit following impressive five-wicket haul in the lost cause against India in Dubai.

New Zealand have also been spot on in the field with Glenn Phillips, especially, taking some fine catches including a stunner to dismiss Virat Kohli the other day.

The Proteas have also adjusted well to the conditions in Pakistan. They made a solid start by notching up a 107-run win over Afghanistan in Lahore. However, their match against Australia in Pindi was washed out due to rain.

In their third show in Karachi, they whipped England by seven wickets to top Group B.

Their inform batting line-up, carrying Ryan Rickelton, Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen is in great nick and can trouble New Zealand in this vital clash.

Their pacemen Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and spinner Keshav Maharaj are also expected to do well as a bowling unit.

They also have Tabraiz Shamsi in their ranks, who has not been used so far in the Champions Trophy.

So far, both teams have played 73 ODIs and of them South Africa have won 42 while New Zealand have to their credit 26 wins. Five matches did not yield results.

New Zealand skipper Mitchel Santner feels that Gaddafi Stadium is likely to offer another good wicket.

“We played the tri-series here and I think for every game here, it was a good surface and we expect another one. South Africa are a great side and they have been playing well and it would be a challenge tomorrow,” Santner told a news conference.

“Although we lost against India on a totally different surface we have experience to play here and we will try to do our best and play good cricket,” he said.

Santner believes that, like New Zealand, South Africa also have all bases covered heading into the match.

“They were going with four seamers recently but Lahore may probably offer something different but they have Maharaj and Markram can also bowl well so they also have spin options,” he said.

Squads:

New Zealand: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Kane Williamson, Will Young.

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch.