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South Africa‘s wait for an ICC trophy continues as New Zealand stormed into the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a commanding 50-run victory in the second semi-final at Gaddafi Stadium. Despite a stunning century from David Miller, the Proteas fell short in their cha🐟se of 363, as New Zealand’s clini🦩cal batting and disciplined bowling proved too strong.
Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson steer New Zealand to a massive total
Opting to bat first, the Black Caps posted a mammoth 362/6 in 50 overs, thanks to stunning centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson. Ravindra anchored the innings with a splendid 108 off 101 balls, while Williamson continued his classy touch with a 102 off 94 deliveries. The duo stitched together a match-defining partnership, dismantling the Proteas’ bowling attack. Contributions from Daryl Mitchell (49 off 37) and Glenn Phillips (49 off 27) added the finishing 🌄touches to an already imposing total.
South Africa’s bowlers found it tough to contain the flow of runs. Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the bowlers, bagging 3 wickets but conceding 72 runs. Kagiso Rabada (2/70) and Wiaan Mulder (1/48) chipped in with crucial breakthroughs, but Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj remain✱ed wicketless, allowing New Zeala🔥nd to dominate.
David Miller’s heroics in vain as South Africa falls short
Chasing 363 for victory, South Africa started steadily but lost key wickets at regular intervals. Captain Temba Bavuma played a measured knock of 56 off 71 balls, while Rassie van der Dussen kept hopes ali🐼ve with a well-crafted 69 off 66 deliveries. However, it was Miller who truly ignited the chase with a♎ breathtaking century, smashing 100 off just 67 balls with 10 fours and 4 sixes. Despite his valiant effort, the rest of the batting lineup failed to provide the necessary support, and South Africa fell short at 312/9 in their 50 overs.
Mitchell Santner destroys Proteas’ batting order
The Kiwi bowlers ensured their team’s place in the final with disciplined bowling efforts. Mitchell Santner led the charge with a crucial spell of 3/43 in 10 overs, while Matt Henry (2/43) and Phillips (2/27) provided key breakthroughs at critical moments. Rachin also chipped in with a wicket, restricting South Africa’s m⛄iddle order from capitalizing on Miller’s 🦄brilliance. New Zealand will now meet India in the final of the tournament on March 09.
Also WATCH: SA vs NZ – Mitchell Santner cleans up Rassie van der Dussen with a jaffa in Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal
Here is how fans reacted:
So final is between INDIA vs NZ on 9th 🏏
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh)
Champions Trophy Finals
1998 – 🇿🇦 v 🏝
2000 – 🇳🇿 v 🇮🇳
2002 – 🇮🇳 v 🇱🇰
2004 – 🏴 v 🏝
2006 – 🇦🇺 v 🏝
2009 – 🇦🇺 v 🇳🇿
2013 – 🏴 v 🇮🇳
2017 – 🇵🇰 v 🇮🇳
2025 – 🇮🇳 v 🇳🇿*— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket)
Too Little, Too Late! 💔
David Miller’s blazing 100 off 67 goes in vain as New Zea♒land defeat South Africa by 50 ru🎃ns to set up a final clash with India! 🏏🔥
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
South Africa missed a trick. Too many pacers, bowling slower balls, they should have played Shamsi, a wrist spinner. New Zealand shows what spinners can do on flat track. Santner's leadership too exceptional.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif)
David Miller scores the FASTEST century in ﷽Champions Trophy history𓆏.
67 balls – David Miller🇿🇦 v NZ, Today
77 balls – Virender Sehwag🇮🇳 v ENG, 2002
77 balls – Josh Inglis🇦🇺 v ENG, 2025
80 balls – Shikhar Dhawan🇮🇳 v SA, 2013— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats)
Clinical New Zealand punch in their 🎟️ to the 2025 final 🤩🇳🇿 ✍𝓡️:
— ICC (@ICC)
– Champions Trophy Final. 🏆
– India Vs New Zealand. 🇮🇳🇳🇿
– 9th March, 2.30pm. 🗓️
– Dubai Stadium. 🏟️IT'S THE ULTIMATE BATTLE – ROHIT SHARMA VS MITCHELL SANTNER. 🔥
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
Kuch purana hisab abhi baki hai…
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders)
2000 Knock-out final: New Zealand beat India.
25 years🌳 later, India is goingꦡ to face New Zealand in the same tournament final 📢
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
Miller's impressive performances in the Semi-Finals continues for South Africa 🔥💪🏏.
💖A f🐎ighting batting display today earned him his 50; well batted 👏🔥🇿🇦.
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA)
It's always David Miller standing tall for South Africa in an ICC Semi Finals.
— . (@ABDszn17)
