Lahore, February 10, 2025 – New Zealand secured their place in the final of the Tri-Nation One-Day International (ODI) series with a resounding victory over South Africa on Monday.
Displaying a dominant performance, New Zealand chased down a formidable target with precision and composure.
Winning the toss at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, New Zealand opted to bowl first, restricting South Africa to 304 runs in their allotted 50 overs. Despite the competitive total, New Zealand’s chase was clinical, as they reached the target in 48.4 overs with a convincing six-wicket triumph.
With this victory, New Zealand now awaits the winner of the upcoming clash between hosts Pakistan and South Africa, scheduled for February 12. The final showdown will see New Zealand battle for the title in what promises to be an exhilarating contest.
New Zealand set the tone early, making the most of the Powerplay. Although Will Young’s early dismissal threatened to derail momentum, it quickly turned into the Williamson-Conway spectacle. Their phenomenal 187-run partnership – the highest by any New Zealand pair against South Africa – completely turned the game in New Zealand’s favor. Kane Williamson’s elegant century and Devon Conway’s unfortunate 97 had the chase under control. Though a few late wickets momentarily created tension, Glenn Phillips’ explosive hitting and Williamson’s unbeaten 133 ensured New Zealand’s victory in emphatic style.
Earlier in the match, South Africa, despite missing key players, posted a competitive total thanks to a sensational debut century from Matthew Breetzke. His remarkable 150 shattered Desmond Haynes’ long-standing record for the highest ODI score on debut. Jason Smith provided steady support, while Wiaan Mulder’s late cameo ensured South Africa crossed the 300-run mark. For New Zealand, Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke claimed two wickets each, with Michael Bracewell adding crucial breakthroughs.
South Africa’s bowling effort was marred by missed opportunities. Despite a late fightback, New Zealand’s superior batting depth proved too strong. Senuran Muthusamy’s double strike created a brief window of hope, but the target was never enough to contain a confident New Zealand lineup.
Kane Williamson was named Player of the Match for his outstanding century. Reflecting on the win, he praised South Africa’s competitive total and lauded Matthew Breetzke’s stellar debut. He emphasized that New Zealand’s strategy of building partnerships was crucial to their success and highlighted the importance of upcoming fixtures leading to the Champions Trophy.
Temba Bavuma, South Africa’s captain, acknowledged the positives from the match, particularly Breetzke’s sensational knock. However, he admitted that his team fell short of setting a high enough total and stressed the need for individual improvements before the Champions Trophy.
New Zealand’s captain, Mitchell Santner, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, emphasizing the contributions from different players throughout the tournament. He commended Devon Conway’s outstanding innings and reiterated that New Zealand is looking forward to the final after a well-earned rest.
As the tournament approaches its conclusion, all eyes will be on New Zealand, who have demonstrated their class and resilience, making them formidable contenders for the championship title.
