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Temba Bavuma Returns As New Zealand Opt To Bat In 2nd Semi-Final
Follow UsThe winner of this match will face India in the Champions Trophy final in March 9 (Sunday)
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner has won the toss and his side will bat first in the second ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. They are unchanged from the side that lost to India in Dubai. However, Temba Bavuma has recovered from his illness and is available to lead South Africa in this match. He comes in for Tristan Stubbs.
Both captains admitted that they would have liked to bat first and take advantage of the good conditions early on.
The winner of this match will take on India in the final in Dubai on March 9 (Sunday). India defeated Australia by four wickets in the first semi-final in Dubai on March 4 (Tuesday).
Playing XIs
South Africa: Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi
New Zealand: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William ORourke
What did the captains say?
Mitchell Santner (New Zealand): "We are gonna have a bat first, looks like a good wicket, looks a bit dry. Privileged to captain my country and for us it's to play good cricket. We got the same team. Last game was foreign conditions, we have played a few games here in the tri-series. Will try to play good cricket and put pressure on them."
Temba Bavuma (South Africa): We are not too concerned, but the preference would have been to bat. Our bowlers need to bowl well, and then our batters need to do the job. Just one change, myself. I'm feeling much better. We have learned from semi-finals and finals. We need to win the key moments. We are doing a lot of work and have lots of confidence. It's another game for us, irrespective of whether it is the semi-final.
Pitch report by Bazid Khan and Dale Steyn:
Looking at the dimensions, it's 75m downtown, to my left is 70m, and to my right is 67m. This pitch has been fabulous for run-scoring and boundary-hitting. It's a lovely day for cricket. It's a hard and flat surface, there's a fresh covering of grass so the ball will skid on. Three of the world's tallest bowlers are playing today, so they will get extra bounce. There's something for them to work with. The bowlers need to get it absolutely spot on, as this surface is tailor-made for batting
