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Locked and loaded. The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 second semifinal is about to kick off with South Africa and New Zealand battling it out for a spot in the big dance! It's been quite the journey for both squads, who've been racking up some serious frequent flier miles. The Proteas had that crucial 18-hour Dubai layover after their last pool game, just in case they ended up facing India in the semis. And the Kiwis? It's the same deal – they flew all the way to Dubai to play India for their last league match, only to turn around and head back to Lahore for this knockout match. Now they're finally settling in at Gaddafi Stadium, ready to duke it out. Talk about cricket travel chaos. New Zealand enters this high-stakes clash on the back of a defeat to India, but with a silver lining, their recent tri-series win over South Africa at this very venue will surely boost their confidence. While the loss to India in a dead-rubber game doesn’t carry much weight, it did offer the Kiwis a valuable preview of the Dubai conditions, a knowledge that could prove crucial if they meet India again in the final. The biggest positive from that game was Kane Williamson’s return to form at the perfect moment. After a quiet start to the tournament, the stalwart stepped up with a classy 81, reminding everyone why he’s the heartbeat of this side. With the bat in hand, New Zealand looks formidable. Tom Latham, Will Young, and Rachin Ravindra have already notched centuries in the tournament, showcasing a batting unit that’s thriving in these conditions. In Pakistani-like pitches, where runs flow more freely, the Kiwis seem to have found their rhythm. With the ball, New Zealand has been nothing short of impressive. One of their standout moments came when they restricted India to a sub-par total, showcasing their ability to step up when it matters most. Matt Henry has been a model of consistency, leading the pace attack with precision, while Will O’Rourke has provided solid support, making them a formidable pair. In the spin department, the duo of Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell has been instrumental, delivering economical spells that have kept opposition batters in check. What’s truly remarkable is their ability to contain teams to under 260 in batting-friendly conditions. And let’s not forget their fielding, which has always been their biggest positive. Glenn Phillips, in particular, has once again been a highlight reel, pulling off stunning acrobatics, including those jaw-dropping catches to dismiss Virat Kohli and Babar Azam. He’s been a livewire in the inner ring, turning half-chances into game-changing moments. Overall, they pack a serious punch when it comes to the big events. But so do the Proteas, isn’t it? South Africa is making its third straight deep run in ICC events. After coming up short in the T20 World Cup 2024 final, they've got two more shots at glory this year - the ongoing Champions Trophy and the WTC Final later on. They're looking formidable heading into this match after decisively beating England. While their Australia game got washed out, they've been impressive in their two completed league matches. Like New Zealand, South Africa's batting lineup is clicking across the board. Rickelton has notched a century, while the middle order has been rock solid. Markram and van der Dussen have consistently delivered, with van der Dussen posting back-to-back fifties. Then there's Heinrich Klaasen - missed the opener with a minor injury, but his return adds serious firepower to their batting. His explosive 64 further strengthens an already dangerous middle order that includes David Miller. When it comes to their bowling, South Africa’s pace attack has been as reliable as ever, with Kagiso Rabada leading the charge and the rest of the quicks perfectly in sync. They’ve kept things tight and aggressive, just as you’d expect from the Proteas. On the spin front, they’ve kept it simple with Keshav Maharaj as their lone frontline spinner, which could still be a handy option, especially on surfaces that favor pace. Now, let’s talk about Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. It’s been a paradise for batters! This ground has been a run-fest so far, with players swinging freely and big scores becoming the norm. In the two full games played here, the 300-run mark has been smashed not once, but twice, that too, in both innings of those matches. Remember Australia’s epic chase of 356 against England? Or England falling just 8 runs short while chasing 326 against Afghanistan? The pitch has already seen four centurions in just two games, proving it’s not just a batting paradise but also a ground where chasing feels like a real possibility. So, as South Africa gears up for this clash, they’ll know the conditions are ripe for runs. But with their pace battery firing and Maharaj’s spin in the mix, they’ll back themselves to keep the Kiwis in check. But guess what? New Zealand have looked equally threatening as well. Can the winners of 2000 and runners up of 2009, New Zealand, weave some magic this time around, or will the inaugural champions of 1998, South Africa, write the script of glory? With with two evenly matched sides, who do you think has the edge after all that jet-setting?