NEW DELHI: New Zealand booked their place in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a dominant victory over South Africa in the semifinals. The Black Caps will now face India—the only unbeaten team in the tournament—in the title clash at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
India and New Zealand were part of the same group, with India finishing at the top after winning all three of their matches. New Zealand, on the other hand, secured two victories in the group stage, with their only defeat coming against India in Dubai.
NEW ZEALAND’S ROAD TO THE FINAL
GROUP STAGE
New Zealand vs Pakistan
Result: New Zealand won by 60 runs
New Zealand got off to a flying start in the tournament with a commanding 60-run win over hosts Pakistan in the opening match in Karachi. Will Young and Tom Latham starred with the bat, notching up brilliant centuries to propel New Zealand to an imposing total of 320/5 after Pakistan elected to field. Young scored 107 off 113 balls, while Latham remained unbeaten on 118 off 104 deliveries.
Pakistan’s top order, including Babar Azam (64 off 90), Mohammed Rizwan (3 off 14), and Saud Shakeel (6 off 19), adopted an overly cautious approach, which backfired as they were bowled out for 260 in 47.2 overs.
Latham’s match-winning knock earned him the Player of the Match award.
NEW ZEALAND VS BANGLADESH
RESULT: NEW ZEALAND WON BY 5 WICKETS
Rachin Ravindra showcased his class with a sublime century, guiding New Zealand to a comfortable five-wicket win over Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. The victory ensured semifinal berths for both New Zealand and India while knocking hosts Pakistan and Bangladesh out of the tournament.
Pakistan, hosting their first ICC event since the 1996 World Cup, needed a series of favorable results to stay in contention, but Bangladesh’s loss sealed their exit.
Michael Bracewell’s superb four-wicket haul earned him the Player of the Match title.
NEW ZEALAND VS INDIA
RESULT: NEW ZEALAND LOST BY 44 RUNS
In their final group-stage encounter, New Zealand suffered their only defeat of the tournament, falling to a strong Indian side by 44 runs.
Batting first, India posted 249 all out, with Shreyas Iyer anchoring the innings with a crucial 79 off 98 balls. In response, New Zealand’s batting lineup faltered against India’s spin attack, led by Varun Chakravarthy. The mystery spinner weaved his magic, dismantling the Black Caps with figures of 5/42 as they were bowled out for 205 in 45.3 overs.
Chakravarthy’s stellar performance earned him the Player of the Match award, as New Zealand finished second in Group A.
SEMIFINAL: NEW ZEALAND VS SOUTH AFRICA
RESULT: NEW ZEALAND WON BY 50 RUNS
New Zealand delivered a clinical performance in the semifinals, overpowering South Africa by 50 runs in Lahore.
Skipper Mitchell Santner won the toss and opted to bat first, a decision that paid off handsomely. Rachin Ravindra (108) and Kane Williamson (102) put on a batting masterclass, leading New Zealand to a formidable 362 in 50 overs.
In response, South Africa fought hard but fell short, getting bowled out for 312. Santner starred with the ball, taking three wickets, while Matt Henry and Glenn Phillips chipped in with two wickets each.
New Zealand now stand on the brink of history as they aim to secure their second Champions Trophy title, having last won the prestigious tournament in 2000 in Kenya—their only major ICC white-ball triumph.
