South Africa's challenge to avoid chocking
| Date | March 05, 2025 |
| Time | 2:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
| Format | ODI |
| Series | ICC Champions Trophy, 2025 |
Betting Odds
Our Predictions
- Rassie van der Dussen has odds of 4.15 to be South Africa's best batsman
- Kane Williamson has odds of 3.10 to be New Zealand's best batsman
- Kagiso Rabada has odds of 3.00 to be South Africa's best bowler
- Matt Henry has odds of 3.10 to be New Zealand's best bowler
MATCH PREVIEW
It is the 2nd Semifinal in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. A confident South African team in this game will be up against New Zealand. South Africans haven't lost a game in the tournament and come into this contest with a convincing win against England. They will start with higher odds in this game, owning their good form with the bat and the ball. New Zealand suffered its first loss in the last game, going down against India. The side struggled with the bat in the last game and must put this loss behind them. The two teams are well-matched, and we expect a close contest in this game.
South Africa Preview
Temba Bavuma's team has been good so far. They have won all their games and come into the contest with a 7-wicket win against England. The team enjoyed good form leading up to this tournament and shall start the game on cricket betting sites. However, the team carries the 'chockers' tag, and Bavuma wants to bury it in this tournament. They have a strong bowling attack, and Bavuma wants his players to put up a strong show.
The team will expect a good start in this game from Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton, as the wicket will be flat and good for batting. Bavuma must steady the ship in the middle order and add runs with Heinrich Klaasen and Rassie van der Dussen. The team has firepower in the lower middle order and expects quick runs from David Miller, Marco Jansen, and Wiaan Mulder.
South Africa's bowlers have enjoyed a good run in the tournament. Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi will look to strike early and put the opponents under pressure. Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj are the key bowlers for the team, and they must do well in the middle overs and maintain the scoring rate. The team will also expect a good show in this game from Markram and Mulder in the supporting role.
Expected Starting XI for South Africa
Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada
New Zealand Preview
Mitchell Santner and his team made a mess of the run chase against the Indians in the last game. They went into a shell, allowing the asking rate to climb constantly, and lost the game by 44 runs. The batting lineup must show more intent in this game and play aggressively, as the South African bowlers will test them. They are behind on cricket betting apps, and Santner would like a spirited show from his bowlers.
Rachin Ravindra is the key batter at the top, and he must deliver a good start in this game with Will Young. Kane Williamson will be confident after his good knock in the last game and must add runs in the middle order with Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham. The side will expect a good show from Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, and Mitchell Santner in the finishing role.
The bowling attack troubled the Indians in the last game and shall carry the confidence. Matt Henry is in great shape and must do well with the new ball alongside Kyle Jamieson. Santner and Bracewell will enjoy the conditions and must do well in the middle overs. The side also needs a good show in the supporting role from William O'Rourke and Rachin Ravindra.
Expected Starting XI for New Zealand
Mitchell Santner (c), Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham (wk), Michael Bracewell, Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, William O'Rourke
TOSS: To Bat First
The wicket in Lahore is good to bat at the start, and it slows down as the game progresses. We have seen big scores at this venue in this tournament. The side winning the toss would like to take advantage of the conditions by batting first.
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
We expect clear skies over Lahore and a great day for cricket. The surface will be flat and allow batsmen to play their strokes freely. There is little assistance on this surface for the bowlers. The side that bats first will aim to have 320 runs on the board to feel confident.
OUR PREDICTION
New Zealand has had its weaknesses in the last few games and has depended on the brilliance of a few players. They must rotate the strike and play more aggressively to win this game. South Africans have been in good form and have more firepower in their batting lineup. We expect it to be a close game, but the South Africans will have an edge.
Our prediction is for South Africa to win
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