Cricket is a game that brings people together, no matter their age or background. It’s a sport where every ball can tell a story, and on March 5, 2025, at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, the New Zealand National Cricket Team faced off against the New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy. This match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams showcasing incredible skill, determination, and heart. Let’s dive into the details of this unforgettable clash, break down the scorecard, and relive the moments that made this game a classic.
The Stage is Set
The Gaddafi Stadium was buzzing with excitement. The pitch was a batsman’s paradise—hard, flat, with a fresh covering of grass that promised the ball would skid nicely. The weather was perfect for cricket, and the stands were packed with fans eager to see which team would earn a spot in the final against India. New Zealand, led by captain Mitchell Santner, won the toss and chose to bat first, a decision that would set the tone for a high-scoring thriller. South Africa, under Temba Bavuma’s leadership, was ready to chase, banking on their strong batting lineup and pace-heavy bowling attack.
New Zealand’s Batting: A Masterclass in Teamwork
New Zealand’s innings was a display of calculated aggression and brilliant partnerships. Their openers, Will Young and Rachin Ravindra, set a solid foundation. Young played a steady hand, scoring 78 runs off 82 balls, including 8 fours and a six, before being caught by Aiden Markram off Lungi Ngidi’s bowling. His innings gave New Zealand the stability they needed early on.
Rachin Ravindra, the young star, was the standout performer, earning the Player of the Match award. He smashed a brilliant 112 runs off 104 balls, hitting 10 fours and 3 sixes. Ravindra’s innings was a mix of patience and flair—he started cautiously against the fiery bowling of Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi but found his rhythm with partnerships alongside Young and Kane Williamson. “It’s always great to contribute to the team,” Ravindra said after the match. “Marco and Lungi bowled well, but once I got going, partnerships with Young and Kane helped me settle in.”
Kane Williamson, the former captain and New Zealand’s batting backbone, played a classic knock of 115 runs off 98 balls, with 12 fours and 2 sixes. His ability to accelerate after a steady start was crucial in pushing New Zealand’s total higher. Williamson’s experience shone through as he guided the younger players, setting the stage for the lower order to explode.
The middle and lower order didn’t disappoint. Daryl Mitchell contributed a quickfire 45 off 32 balls, and Glenn Phillips added a blistering 38 off 20 balls, ensuring New Zealand crossed the 350-run mark. The innings ended at an imposing 362 for 6 in 50 overs, a total that put South Africa under immense pressure. The partnerships—especially the 120-run stand between Ravindra and Williamson—were key to New Zealand’s dominance.
South Africa’s bowlers struggled to contain the Kiwi batsmen. Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2 wickets for 68 runs, while Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen picked up one wicket each. Keshav Maharaj, the lone spinner, was expensive, conceding 75 runs in his 10 overs without a wicket. The decision to leave out specialist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi raised eyebrows, as New Zealand’s batsmen capitalized on the lack of spin variation.
South Africa’s Chase: A Valiant Effort Falls Short
Chasing 363 was never going to be easy, but South Africa’s batting lineup was packed with talent. Openers Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma started steadily, with Bavuma scoring a gritty 56 off 71 balls, including 5 fours. Rassie van der Dussen played a classy 69 off 66 balls, hitting 6 fours and an 82-meter six off Mitchell Santner. Their 90-run partnership gave South Africa hope, but New Zealand’s spinners turned the game in their favor.
Mitchell Santner, the Kiwi captain, was the star with the ball, taking 3 wickets for 52 runs in his 10 overs. His dismissal of Bavuma, who edged a flighted delivery to point, was a turning point. Van der Dussen fell soon after, bowled by a sharp-spinning delivery from Santner that hit the middle stump. Aiden Markram’s soft dismissal—chipping a catch back to Rachin Ravindra for 31—further dented South Africa’s chances.
The spotlight, however, belonged to David Miller. The South African veteran played an innings for the ages, scoring a blistering 100 off just 67 balls, with 10 fours and 4 sixes. His century was the fastest in Champions Trophy history, achieved in just 67 balls, and it kept South Africa in the hunt. Miller’s ability to dispatch even good deliveries was breathtaking, but he lacked support at the other end. Heinrich Klaasen, expected to be a game-changer, fell for just 3 runs, holing out to Santner at long-on.
South Africa’s chase faltered in the middle overs, with New Zealand’s spinners—Santner, Michael Bracewell, and Ravindra—applying the squeeze. Bracewell bowled tightly, conceding 40 runs in 7 overs, while Ravindra chipped in with a wicket. The required run rate climbed steadily, and despite Miller’s heroics, South Africa finished at 312 for 8 in their 50 overs, falling 50 runs short.
Key Moments That Shaped the Match
This semi-final was packed with moments that had fans on the edge of their seats:
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Rachin Ravindra’s Century: Ravindra’s 112 was the backbone of New Zealand’s innings. His ability to adapt after a slow start and build partnerships was crucial.
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Kane Williamson’s Acceleration: Williamson’s 115 included a phase where he shifted gears, turning a solid platform into a match-winning total.
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Mitchell Santner’s Spin Magic: Santner’s three wickets, including the dismissals of Bavuma and van der Dussen, broke South Africa’s momentum.
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David Miller’s Lone Fight: Miller’s 100 off 67 balls was a masterclass in aggressive batting, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the loss of wickets.
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South Africa’s Missed Opportunity: The decision to exclude Tabraiz Shamsi cost South Africa dearly, as their bowlers struggled to contain New Zealand’s batsmen on a batting-friendly pitch.
The New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard: A Detailed Look
Below is the full scorecard for the New Zealand National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Match Scorecard 2nd Semi-Final, ICC Champions Trophy 2025, played on March 5, 2025, at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
|
New Zealand Innings (50 Overs) |
R |
B |
4s |
6s |
SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Will Young c Markram b Ngidi |
78 | 82 | 8 | 1 | 95.12 |
|
Rachin Ravindra c Klaasen b Rabada |
112 | 104 | 10 | 3 | 107.69 |
|
Kane Williamson c Mulder b Jansen |
115 | 98 | 12 | 2 | 117.35 |
|
Daryl Mitchell c Bavuma b Ngidi |
45 | 32 | 4 | 1 | 140.63 |
|
Tom Latham (wk) c Miller b Maharaj |
20 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 133.33 |
|
Glenn Phillips not out |
38 | 20 | 3 | 2 | 190.00 |
|
Michael Bracewell c Rickelton b Mulder |
12 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 150.00 |
|
Mitchell Santner (c) not out |
5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 166.67 |
|
Extras (lb 4, w 6, nb 1) |
11 | ||||
|
Total (6 wickets, 50 overs) |
362 |
Did Not Bat: Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William O’Rourke
Fall of Wickets: 1-110 (Young, 22.3 ov), 2-230 (Ravindra, 35.1 ov), 3-280 (Williamson, 42.4 ov), 4-305 (Latham, 45.2 ov), 5-330 (Mitchell, 47.5 ov), 6-350 (Bracewell, 49.1 ov)
Bowling:
-
Kagiso Rabada: 10-0-65-1 (6.50)
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Lungi Ngidi: 10-0-68-2 (6.80)
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Marco Jansen: 10-0-70-1 (7.00)
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Keshav Maharaj: 10-0-75-1 (7.50)
-
Wiaan Mulder: 5-0-42-1 (8.40)
-
Aiden Markram: 5-0-38-0 (7.60)
|
South Africa Innings (50 Overs) |
R |
B |
4s |
6s |
SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ryan Rickelton c Latham b Henry |
25 | 30 | 3 | 0 | 83.33 |
|
Temba Bavuma (c) c Phillips b Santner |
56 | 71 | 5 | 0 | 78.87 |
|
Rassie van der Dussen b Santner |
69 | 66 | 6 | 1 | 104.55 |
|
Aiden Markram c&b Ravindra |
31 | 29 | 3 | 0 | 106.90 |
|
Heinrich Klaasen (wk) c Santner b Santner |
3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 42.86 |
|
David Miller not out |
100 | 67 | 10 | 4 | 149.25 |
|
Wiaan Mulder c Williamson b Bracewell |
15 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 75.00 |
|
Marco Jansen c Latham b Jamieson |
10 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 83.33 |
|
Keshav Maharaj c Young b O’Rourke |
8 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 80.00 |
|
Kagiso Rabada not out |
5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 125.00 |
|
Extras (lb 3, w 6) |
9 | ||||
|
Total (8 wickets, 50 overs) |
312 |
Did Not Bat: Lungi Ngidi
Fall of Wickets: 1-40 (Rickelton, 8.2 ov), 2-130 (Bavuma, 23.5 ov), 3-165 (van der Dussen, 29.4 ov), 4-170 (Klaasen, 31.3 ov), 5-200 (Markram, 35.2 ov), 6-230 (Mulder, 41.1 ov), 7-255 (Jansen, 44.5 ov), 8-290 (Maharaj, 47.6 ov)
Bowling:
-
Matt Henry: 8-0-50-1 (6.25)
-
Kyle Jamieson: 8-0-55-1 (6.87)
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William O’Rourke: 7-0-48-1 (6.85)
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Mitchell Santner: 10-0-52-3 (5.20)
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Michael Bracewell: 7-0-40-1 (5.71)
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Rachin Ravindra: 5-0-35-1 (7.00)
-
Glenn Phillips: 5-0-29-0 (5.80)
Result: New Zealand won by 50 runs
Player of the Match: Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)
Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena, Paul Reiffel
Third Umpire: Joel Wilson
Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle
Post-Match Reflections
New Zealand’s victory was a team effort, with contributions from their top order, middle order, and bowlers. Captain Mitchell Santner praised his team’s resilience: “It’s a pretty good feeling. We were challenged by a good side today. Rachin and Kane set the stage, and the guys finishing it put the icing on the cake.” The win marked New Zealand’s third appearance in a Champions Trophy final, and they headed to Dubai to face India with confidence.
For South Africa, the loss was another heartbreaking chapter in their history of ICC tournament semi-final disappointments. This was their ninth semi-final loss in ODI tournaments, the most by any team. David Miller’s century was a silver lining, but the lack of support from the middle order and the absence of Shamsi hurt their chances. Captain Temba Bavuma remained optimistic, saying, “We fought hard, but it wasn’t enough. Miller showed what we’re capable of, and we’ll learn from this.”
Why This Match Matters
This semi-final wasn’t just about runs and wickets—it was about heart, strategy, and moments that define cricket. For young fans, it showed the importance of teamwork and staying calm under pressure. For older fans, it was a reminder of why cricket is so special: every player, from the opener to the tailender, can change the game.
New Zealand’s victory was a testament to their depth and adaptability, while South Africa’s fight, led by Miller, showed their potential to be world-beaters. As the Kiwis prepared for the final against India, fans around the world were left talking about this thrilling encounter in Lahore.
Looking Ahead
New Zealand’s win set up a blockbuster final against India, a chance to avenge their earlier loss in the tournament. For South Africa, it was back to the drawing board, but with players like Miller, Bavuma, and van der Dussen in form, they remain a force to be reckoned with.
