New Zealand Playing 11 vs South Africa- ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Semifinal 2

New Zealand will be taking on South Africa in the second semifinal of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The game is scheduled to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday (March 5).

The Black Caps will be looking to bounce back after suffering a loss against India in their final group game. New Zealand's winning streak came to an end with a dismal 44-run defeat at the hands of India in Dubai last week.

Prior to that, New Zealand had defeated Bangladesh and Pakistan in their two group games. Last month, they had also won the ODI tri-series that included a win over South Africa.

New Zealand have done well in ODIs in recent times and will be fancying their chances of beating the Proteas in the upcoming contest. As New Zealand look to get back to winning ways, we are taking a look at the New Zealand Playing 11 for the upcoming semifinal clash.

New Zealand Playing 11 vs South Africa- ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Semifinal 2:

Openers: Will Young, Rachin Ravindra

For the game against India, New Zealand changed their opening combination. Devon Conway was dropped from the New Zealand Playing 11 while Rachin Ravindra was promoted to open the innings. Will Young and Ravindra are expected to be the openers in the New Zealand Playing 11 for the semifinal as well.

Both the New Zealand openers failed to score big and will be eyeing better displays in the upcoming game. Young scored 22 runs before being dismissed by Varun Chakravarthy. On the other hand, Ravindra departed for 6 runs.

Middle-order batsmen and allrounders: Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham (wk), Glenn Phillips, Michael Bracewell, Mitchell Santner (c)

Kane Williamson waged a lone battle for New Zealand as he did not get good support from the other end. The former New Zealand captain kept his team in the hunt with a fine knock of 81 runs. Once Williamson was out, New Zealand's innings completely derailed. The Black Caps would be hoping that their veteran batsman continues his form in the semifinal as well.

Daryl Mitchell could not impress with the bat after returning to the New Zealand Playing 11. The right-handed batsman scored 17 runs before being sent back by Kuldeep Yadav. He will be keen to make amends in the semifinal.

The likes of Tom Latham and Glenn Phillips could not deliver with the bat either. Latham scored 14 runs while Phillips was out for 12.

New Zealand's all-rounders did not have the best of outings against India. Michael Bracewell went wicketless with the ball and could score only 2 runs. On the other hand, Captain Mitchell Santner picked up 1 wicket and scored 28 runs.

Bowlers: Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William O'Rourke

New Zealand are likely to play the semifinal with the same bowling combination that played against India in their last group game. With Santner and Bracewell being the spinners of the team, the New Zealand Playing 11 is likely to have three frontline pacers.

Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and William O'Rourke are set to be the three pacers in the New Zealand Playing 11. Henry was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers against India, taking 5 wickets for 42 runs in 8 overs. On the other hand, Jamieson and O'Rourke picked up 1 wicket each.