The Black Caps have secured a place in the Champions Trophy final after a dominant win over South Africa in Lahore.
They will face India in Dubai on Sunday, aiming to win their second Champions Trophy title, 25 years after their first. New Zealand posted a strong total of 362-6, thanks to centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson, before restricting South Africa to 312-9 for a 50-run victory.
Batting first, New Zealand got off to a solid start, with Ravindra scoring 108 off 101 balls and Williamson making 102 off 94. Their 164-run partnership set the platform for a big total, with later contributions from Glenn Phillips (49 not out) and Daryl Mitchell (49). South African bowler Lungi Ngidi took 3-72 but couldn’t prevent the Black Caps from reaching their fourth-highest score in an ICC tournament.
Chasing 363, South Africa started well with Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen putting up resistance. However, Mitchell Santner’s spin proved decisive, taking 3-43 and dismantling the middle order. Despite a late fightback from David Miller, who scored an unbeaten 100 off 67 balls, the Proteas fell short.
New Zealand now heads to Dubai, where they recently lost to India. While the Black Caps will be underdogs, they have a chance to make history by winning their first ICC trophy since 2000.
