New Zealand Stun South Africa in Champions Trophy Semifinal!
Wow. Just wow. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinals? It was a cracker. New Zealand and South Africa, two cricketing heavyweights, went head-to-head on March 5th at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, fighting for a spot in the final against India. Honestly, who didn't have butterflies in their stomach watching that one?
The Setup: A Clash of Titans
South Africa, fresh off a near-perfect group stage (one washout aside!), strolled into the semis undefeated. They looked unstoppable. New Zealand, on the other hand, had a bit of a stumble, losing narrowly to India. But hey, that's cricket, right? One loss doesn't define a team, especially one with the talent New Zealand boasts.
The Match: A Century of Surprises
New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat first. The Lahore pitch? Flat as a pancake. Perfect for scoring runs. And score runs they did! Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson put on an absolute masterclass, a breathtaking 164-run partnership. Seriously, it was poetry in motion. Ravindra smashed a magnificent century (108)—his fifth ODI hundred, and all in ICC tournaments! Williamson wasn't far behind, also reaching a century (102) before they both finally departed.
It was just one of those days where everything clicked for New Zealand. They piled up a truly formidable total, well over 250. I think we all collectively gasped.
The Odds Shift: From Underdog to Favorite
Initially, the experts leaned towards South Africa (around 52% win probability). But as New Zealand's score mounted, so did their chances. By the time the innings ended, the live win probability had flipped dramatically, with New Zealand firmly in the driver's seat at 65%. The Dafabet odds reflected this shift, favoring New Zealand at 1.28 against South Africa's 3.70.
Key Moments That Defined the Game
There were definitely some key moments. Heinrich Klaasen dropping Williamson on 56? Ouch. That was a costly mistake for South Africa. Kagiso Rabada finally breaking the partnership by dismissing Ravindra gave the Proteas a glimmer of hope, but it was too little, too late. The high score underscored just how batting-friendly the pitch was that day.
New Zealand Triumphs!
In the end, New Zealand's explosive batting performance, powered by those incredible centuries, proved too much for South Africa to overcome. The final score? We'll let the official records speak for themselves, but it was a comfortable win for the Kiwis. They're headed to the final against India in Dubai on March 9th! This win marks another knockout victory over South Africa for New Zealand in an ICC tournament – their second, in fact! It really highlights their strength in these high-pressure situations.
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