New Zealand Achieve HISTORIC Milestone After Qualifying For Champions Trophy Final; Become First Team To...
Photo : AP
New Zealand defeated South Africa in the semi-final of the Champions Trophy 2025 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday (March 9) to qualify for the final of the mega tournament. They absolutely decimated the Proteas by 50 runs, with exceptional performances from Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra with the bat and captain Mitchell Santner with the ball. They will now face the mighty India in the final of the tournament on March 9 (Sunday) at the Dubai International Stadium. With their thumping win against the Proteas, New Zealand have scripted history.
New Zealand have now won seven consecutive games in Pakistan. The first of these wins came in the final ODI of the 5-match series in 2023. They have since won all three games in the recently concluded tri-series with Pakistan and South Africa, followed by three consecutive wins in their Champions Trophy 2025 matches, which were scheduled in Pakistan.
The Kiwis have now become the team with the joint-most number of consecutive ODI victories on Pakistani soil. They have equalled the record of India who won seven consecutive ODIs in Pakistan from 2006 to 2008. New Zealand also became the first non-Asian team to win 7 consecutive ODIs in Pakistan. Overall, the Kiwis have won 13 games in Pakistan ,which is the joint fifth-highest by an away team.
Williamson, Ravindra Slam Twin Centuries To Guide New Zealand To Champions Trophy Final
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat first. They absolutely decimated the South African bowlers as they posted 362/6, the highest total in this year's Champions Trophy. Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson slammed twin centuries, scoring 108 and 102 respectively. Daryll Mitchell and Glenn Phillps also chipped in with fiery cameos of 49 runs each at the death.
The South Africans never really got going, as they could only muster 312/9 at the end of their 50 overs. David Miller fought a lone battle at the end, as he slammed the fastest century in Champions Trophy history. Mitchell Santner was the star for New Zealand with the ball, as he picked up three wickets. The Kiwis thus won by 50 runs.
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