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And then there were two! Six teams have bowed out, leaving India and New Zealand as the last ones standing in the battle for glory. For India, it’s a shot at redemption. Runners-up in the previous edition, they will play their third consecutive final, determined to go one step further. Meanwhile, the Kiwis return to the Champions Trophy final for the first time since 2009, eager to claim a second title. The grand finale will take place on Sunday, 9th March, at the Dubai International Stadium. The first ball of the final will be bowled at 9 am GMT, but our build-up will begin much earlier. Until then, take care and goodbye!

The captain of New Zealand, Mitchell Santner, says that it is a good feeling to make it to the final and acknowledges the challenge posed by a strong South African side. Mentions that they look forward to another clash against India, having already faced them earlier in the tournament. Santner highlights the solid foundation laid by Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson, which allowed them to accelerate in the death overs. He praises the finishers for executing their roles effectively and emphasises the importance of the bowlers consistently taking wickets. Reflecting on his own performance, he says that he is pleased to have claimed three scalps and adds that as a unit, it was important to keep plugging away at the wickets. Praises Glenn Phillips for his crucial two wickets and Rachin Ravindra for his valuable five-over spell, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Matt Henry’s ability to bowl due to soreness. Mentions that having played in Dubai and putting India under pressure has given the team confidence. Cheekily says that losing the toss in the final might not be a bad thing.

Temba Bavuma, the skipper of South Africa, says the target was above par and anything under 350 would've been better but on the batting front, they needed at least one or two batters to emulate what the top 4 did for New Zealand. Mentions David Miller did that but needed some support from the rest. States that the Kiwis put them under pressure and capitalized in the middle overs, and going into the death overs with wickets in hand was always going to be a difficult task for the bowlers. Appreciates the Kiwi batters who applied themselves well throughout the innings. On the partnership between himself and Rassie van der Dussen, he says they failed to build a big foundation and left way too much for the rest to go after. Concludes that they will have to win some key moments in the game and be decisive while not allowing the opposite to get back in the game.

Rachin Ravindra is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his impressive performance. To go with his 108-run knock earlier in the day, Rachin made an impact with the ball as well, claiming the prized scalp of Aiden Markram. He says that it always feels good to contribute to the team in a semi-final. Adds that he didn't get the start he wanted but once he got going, he found his mojo with Kane and stitched together a good partnership. States that he is pretty happy with the team’s overall performance. Mentions that he was thinking about the 300-run mark as the ball was holding a bit on the surface and the cutters were tough to play. States that he is happy that they got over 360 in the end. Further adds that they just want to soak this win and will reflect on the final in the upcoming couple of days.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier, New Zealand opted to bat first on a good batting surface, though slower balls gripped the wicket. Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson dictated terms with a commanding 164-run stand with both reaching well-crafted centuries. Their dismissals gave South Africa a window to claw back, but crucial knocks from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips ensured New Zealand did not lose their way. With 83 runs coming off the last 6 overs, the Kiwis ended up with 362, the highest total in the tournament’s history.

Then came the game-changing double strike from Mitchell Santner, who first removed Rassie van der Dussen before sending Heinrich Klaasen back, leaving a big hole in the chase. New Zealand’s spinners tightened the noose and with wickets tumbling at the other end, David Miller was left all alone in the fight. Yes, he lost partners, but questions may be asked about whether the acceleration came too late. With nothing to lose, given Miller’s capabilities and New Zealand’s relatively weak death bowling, who knows what could have been had he gone harder earlier?

Ryan Rickelton began with a couple of delightful boundaries but fell to one that stopped in the surface. Temba Bavuma struggled early against a disciplined Kiwi new-ball attack but soon found his rhythm. Alongside Rassie van der Dussen, he stitched together a promising stand to keep the required run rate in check. Bavuma fell to his Kiwi counterpart, but Rassie kept the Proteas on track. At the halfway mark, the scores were identical at 143, though South Africa had lost an extra wicket.

The Kiwis soar into the final! They set up a date with destiny against India in Dubai, with their sights set on a second Champions Trophy title. For the Rainbow Nation, the wait for their pot of gold continues. After the disappointment of the 2023 ODI World Cup semifinal and the heartbreak of the 2024 T20 World Cup final, this defeat adds yet another chapter to their tale of what could have been. Chasing 363 was always going to be a daunting task, especially with the pitch not completely easing out under the lights and the occasional delivery still holding up in the surface.

HUNDRED FOR MILLER! The Proteas dugout and the crowd applaud the carnage, and David Miller soaks it all in with his own little celebration. Fired in full and outside off, David Miller drills it straight past the bowler towards long off and takes two runs. New Zealand win the second semifinal by 50 runs!

SIX! Miller moves to 98! The Lahore crowd are all up on their feet! Short and on middle, David Miller picks the length early and swipes it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

FOUR! David Miller gets to 92! Two more hits away to rack up a century! Short and on middle and leg, David Miller goes for the pull but gets it off the top edge and beats the chasing backward square leg fielder for a boundary.

Full and on off, almost a yorker, David Miller opens up his stance and swipes across. Gets a thick outside edge over backward point. Kane Williamson chases the ball and dives to push it back in, keeping it down to two runs.

Full, outside off, David Miller drills it straight back. Kyle Jamieson does well to make half a stop.

FOUR! Angling across, a full toss, David Miller reaches for it and throws absolutely everything at it. Gets an outside edge that flies past short third for a boundary.

Full, on middle and leg, David Miller works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Moves past 80 now! Short and on leg, David Miller hops inside the line and pulls. Gets just enough to get it past the keeper to his right for a boundary.