New Zealand set up India final

AFP | Lahore

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New Zealand secured their place in a seventh ICC final and fourth in the ODI format, overpowering South Africa by 50 runs in a record-breaking Champions Trophy semi-final in Lahore yesterday.

The Black Caps will now face India in Sunday’s final in Dubai, riding high after posting the tournament’s highest score of 326 for 6 and defending it with authority.

Rachin Ravindra led the charge with his fifth ODI century—all scored in ICC events— while Kane Williamson notched his third consecutive ton against South Africa. Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips added rapid 49s off 37 and 27 balls respectively, propelling New Zealand to a formidable total.

Captain Mitchell Santner then starred with the ball, taking 3 for 43, dismissing South Africa’s Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, and Heinrich Klaasen to quash any hopes of a comeback.

The match was effectively over by the 47th over, with David Miller stranded on 52 alongside tailender Lungi Ngidi, though Miller farmed the strike to finish with a 67-ball century off the final delivery.

South Africa’s chase faltered despite a promising 105-run stand between Bavuma and van der Dussen, undone by their own fielding lapses and an off-day with the ball.

Dropped catches, including a crucial miss of Williamson on 56, and a failure to adapt to the pitch’s demands allowed New Zealand’s batsmen to dominate.

Ravindra and Williamson’s 164-run second-wicket partnership—the highest in Champions Trophy history—set the tone, blending aggression and composure. Ravindra’s strike rate soared above 100, while Williamson patiently built his innings, accelerating late to devastating effect.