Champions Trophy: India & New Zealand Qualify For Semi-Finals

India and New Zealand have secured their spots in the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy 2025. This achievement comes after New Zealand’s impressive five-wicket win over Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. The match was crucial for both teams, as it determined the fate of several nations in the tournament.

New Zealand’s victory was set up by Michael Bracewell’s exceptional bowling performance. He took four wickets, restricting Bangladesh to a modest total of 236 for 9. Bangladesh’s captain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, showed resilience with a score of 77, but it wasn’t enough to save his team.

Rachin Ravindra was the star of the show for New Zealand, scoring a magnificent century. His 112 runs off 105 balls led the Kiwis to a comfortable chase, securing the win with 23 balls to spare. Tom Latham and Devon Conway also contributed significantly with scores of 55 and 30, respectively.

This result not only sealed New Zealand’s semi-final spot but also confirmed India’s place in the next round. Both teams have two wins each in Group A and will face each other on March 2 in Dubai to determine the group winner. However, regardless of the outcome, India will play the first semi-final in Dubai on March 4, while New Zealand will play the second semi-final in Lahore on March 5.

The elimination of Bangladesh and Pakistan from the tournament has been a significant development. Both teams have suffered two losses each, making their remaining match against each other merely a consolation encounter. Pakistan, the defending champions and hosts of the tournament, have faced a disappointing campaign, losing to both New Zealand and India.

Meanwhile, Group B remains competitive, with Afghanistan, Australia, England, and South Africa still in contention. Australia and South Africa will clash in a crucial match to boost their chances of reaching the semi-finals. Australia’s batting has been impressive, while South Africa relies on its strong bowling attack.

The Champions Trophy 2025 has been a thrilling event so far, with several teams vying for the top spots. As the tournament progresses, fans are eagerly awaiting the semi-finals to see which teams will emerge victorious.