David Miller scores ton on final ball, but New Zealand seal Champions Trophy final vs India
David Miller scored his century off the last ball of the innings but could not prevent South Africa losing the Champions Trophy semi-final to New Zealand 50 runs. With the win, New Zealand sealed a clash with India in the final on Sunday. The final will be played at the Dubai International Stadium since India have refused to play any game in Pakan, which is officially the host nation of the event.
Batting first, New Zealand were spurred centuries from Rachin Ravindra (108) and Kane Williamson (102). Besides the two centurions, the Black Caps were also buoyed Glenn Phillips (unbeaten 49) and Daryl Mitchell (49). Lungi Ngidi (3/72) and Kagiso Rabada (2/70) were the best bowlers on the night for the Proteas. In the chase, Miller’s acceleration to get to the century came too late as the team fell 50 runs short. Besides Miller, only Rassie van der Dussen (69) and Temba Bavuma (56) managed to put up some fight.
India had defeated Australia four wickets in Dubai on Tuesday. The two finals had also met in the group stage, where the Men in Blue had prevailed 44 runs.
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New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, left, celebrates with batting partner Daryl Mitchell after scoring a century during the ICC Champions Trophy semifinal cricket match between New Zealand and South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakan, Wednesday, March 5, 2025. (AP Photo/K.M Chaudary)
The Black Caps rebounded from that loss to India smashing a Champions Trophy record total of 362/6 batting first on Wednesday. This is the third time that the record for the highest total at the Champions Trophy has been reset in the ongoing edition. All three times it has happened at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. England set the record in a Group B game with a 351/8 score. Australia then chased down the target in the same game to rewrite the record with a total of 356/5.
Before the 2025 edition, the highest ever score in a Champions Trophy game was held New Zealand when they had scored 347/4 against USA at the Oval in 2004.
