Why is Tristan Stubbs not playing Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final-2 between New Zealand vs South Africa? (Source: X/Twitter)
New Zealand locked horns with South Africa in the second semifinal of the Champions Trophy 2025, at the revamped Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, on Wednesday, March 5.
Both teams have had a history of heartbreak in ICC tournaments. South Africa enters the contest with strong performances in the league stage, having registered two wins and one no-result. Their seven-wicket victory over England saw them chase down 180 in just 29.1 overs. Meanwhile, New Zealand faced some obstacles in their last outing against India in a low-scoring game. Chasing 250, their batting collapsed, managing only 205.
Both teams will look to jump on to their chances. The Proteas in the head-to-head records have won 25 out of the 73 ODI games. Meanwhile, these two teams even faced each other in the 2nd game of the Pakistan Tri-Nation Series, which the Kiwis won by six wickets at this ground.
Toss Update
New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat first. The Kiwis went with an unchanged team, while the Proteas replaced Tristan Stubbs with skipper Temba Bavuma.
Tristan Stubbs makes way for skipper Bavuma
Temba Bavuma missed the last game against England due to sickness. As a result, Aiden Markram led the side in his absence. Notably, Markram was also dealing with some injury concerns but got fit ahead of the thrilling semifinal encounter which has certainly boosted South Africa’s spirits.
What did the captains say at the toss?
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. Just one change, myself, I’m feeling much better. We have had learnings from semi-finals and finals. We need to win the key moments.
NZ vs SA Playing XIs:
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 O’Rourke.
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.
Disclaimer: The information presented in this news article is based on the author’s insights, analysis, and perspective. Readers are encouraged to evaluate the details thoughtfully and draw their own conclusions.
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