Williamson, Ravindra tons take New Zealand into Champions Trophy final; South Africa choke yet again

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra smashed enterprising tons and skipper Mitchell Santner captured three key wickets, besides containing the power-hitters, as New Zealand overpowered chokers South Africa by 50 runs in the second semifinal of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on March 5. 

With their commanding victory, New Zealand have set up their title clash with India at Dubai on March 9. It will be a repeat of the Champions Trophy final in 2000 when both teams had made it at Nairobi, Kenya. 

David Miller smashed a fighting rapid-fire unbeaten 100 on the last ball of the innings but his grand effort went in vain as South Africa, chasing a record total of 363 for victory, were restricted to 312 for nine at the end of 50 overs. 

Left-handed Miller’s explosive century came off 67 balls and it was spiced with ten sizzling boundaries and four sixes. The writing, however, seemed very much on the wall for the South Africans, when the New Zealand captain, Santner, with his accurate left-arm spin, removed the dangerous duo of Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klassen in quick succession. 

Extracting substantial amount of turn to keep the batters guessing, Santner first castled der Dussen who was looking dangerous with 69 off 66 balls. 

It brought to the crease Klassen, arguably the cleanest hitter in the game at the moment. But he was sent back before he could explode on a night which wasn’t going to be his. 

With the asking rate mounting with every passing over, Miller, also a famed destructive batter, revived some hopes but the mammoth chase proved took its toll and proved too much for his team. 

Santner took three wickets for 43 runs in ten overs, which was an incredible effort in high-scoring match. He lived up to his big reputation and led by example in the high-voltage game.

Glenn Phillips, whose electric fielding and catch remind the present generation of one Jonty Rhodes, was in the business again. His acrobatic saves kept the South Africans under pressure. He then picked up a couple of wickets with his off-spin to seal the fate of the match. 

Earlier, veteran Williamson and youthful Ravindra both showed their prime form with centuries as New Zealand posted the highest-ever total of 362 for six in the history of the tournament. 

Ravindra smashed his second century of the event and Williamson followed his 81 against India two days ago with supreme 108. It was their 164-run second wicket stand which laid the foundation for a massive total after opener Will Young (21) went in the 8th over. 

The Kiwis reached their 100 in 18th over and 200 in 32 overs. Ravindra perished in the 34th over after making a superb 108 off 101 balls, studded with 13 fours and a six. 

Quite astonishingly, it was his fifth century in the ICC events, as he had hit as many as three in the ICC World Cup 2023. Williamson, batting in his trademark style, was more aggressive of the two, scoring 102 off 94 balls with 10 boundaries and two sixes. 

He was dismissed in the 40th over, with New Zealand firmly placed for a final assault in the last 10 overs. The New Zealanders made the most of the solid platform laid by Ravindra and Williamson. They were in full flow while plundering 111 in last ten overs. 

Both Daryl Mitchell and Philips destroyed the South African bowling. Phillips banged left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen in 46th over for four boundaries in a row which cost 19 runs. Similarly, in the 48th over from top pacer Rabada was smashed for 19 runs with a four and six by the rampaging Philips, who returned undefeated on 49 off 27 balls. 

Daryl Mitchell also contributed in the run feast, with an aggressive 49 off 37 balls. Paceman Lungi Ngidi was the pick of the South African bowlers as he captured three wickets but he was also taken for 72 runs in his quota of 10 overs. Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj went wicketless, as did part-timer Aiden Markram.

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Steve Smith’s surprise call to retire from ODI

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The decision of the acting Australian captain, Steve Smith, has come as a bit of surprise following the four-wicket defeat at the hands of India in the first semifinal of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 4. 

Smith, who was captaining the Aussies in the Champions Trophy in place of the injured Pat Cummins, had batted pretty well in the semifinal to emerge as the leading scorer for his side but he was reported to have informed teammates about his decision to hang his boots from ODIs soon after the loss to India. 

He, however, will continue playing Test cricket for his country, declaring his availability for T20Is too, if required. He may surely remain a part and parcel of the national team in the Test arena for a few more seasons but he is unlikely to be picked again for the shortest format of the game where the mantra has been to blood youngsters. 

Smith’s call to quit ODIs immediately after playing another fighting knock in the semifinal does surprise many but the decision could also have been prompted by the fact that, at 34, he stood very little chance of continuing until the next World Cup due to be held in the African continent in 2027. 

Having debuted in ODI against the West Indies at Melbourne in 2010, he played in 170 matches, aggregating 5,800 runs at an average of 43.28. He scored exactly a dozen centuries and 35 half-centuries. He also claimed 28 wickets at an average of 34.67 as a part-time leg-spinner.

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Majestic Kohli, sensational Shami eliminate Australia, take India into Champions Trophy final at Dubai instead of Lahore

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Top batter Virat Kohli hit a brilliant 84 off 98 balls in yet another successful run chase while pace spearhead Muhammad Shami bowled exceedingly well to claim three wickets as India overpowered Australia by four wickets in the first semifinal of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 4. 

Following the Indian triumph in the first semifinal, Dubai will now stage the final on March 9 instead of Lahore. India will take on winners of the second semifinal between New Zealand and South Africa due to be staged at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on March 5. 

Team India lived upto its big reputation with the bat and the ball and advanced to the final without hiccups. 

Their only cause of concern was the poor catching and Shami was himself was guilty of dropping caught and bowled chances offered by the likes of Travis Head and Steve Smith, the two most experienced batsmen in the Australia line-up. 

Head, who has been a source of constant and serious headache for the Indians across formats, was reprieved when he had still not opened his account. 

He was looking to get into his elements more before being safely pouched by Shubman Gill in the deep in the very first over delivered by the reinvented leg-spinner Varun Chakravarthy. He scored 39 off 33 balls with the help of two sixes and five fours. 

India lost yet another toss, 14th on a trot in One-day Internationals and fourth in as many matches of the ongoing tournament but skipper Rohit Sharma didn’t show any kind of reaction at the outcome, passing the impression that he was not thinking much about it. 

Smith, on the other hand, was mighty pleased to have called correctly which allowed him the freedom to choose in the do-or-die contest. His decision to bat first was not unexpected, after having watched the fate of New Zealand in the previous game at the same venue, where the gamble of Mitchell Santner to insert the Indians had backfired. 

The Australians realized very quickly, in fact from the opening over, that the pitch at Dubai International Stadium was entirely different in nature to what they had found during league matches in Pakistan. The bounce, and the lack of it, didn’t let them blast the bowlers mercilessly. 

Makeshift opener Cooper Connolly couldn’t touch a single delivery before edging the ninth one to wicketkeeper K L Rahul. Head lived dangerously but found boundaries, aided by good fortune. 

Smith dropped anchor and kept rotating the strike in the company of Marnus Labuschagne. With the spinners failing to dislodge the stubborn pair, the Indian skipper recalled Shami who came very close to striking right away. 

After playing and missing a few deliveries, Smith ventured driving him but the resulting return catch, hardly a difficult one, was not accepted by the bowler. Labuschagne (29 off 36 balls) was undone by Ravindra Jadeja but Smith and wicketkeeper Alex Carey took the total to the region of 200 in the 37th over when the skipper was finally castled by Shami for 73 off 96 balls. 

This proved to be a critical breakthrough and Australia, looking good for 300, crashed to 265 all out despite Carey’s 61 off 57 balls. Shami (3-48) was the pick of the Indian bowlers while Jadeja (2-40) and Chakravarthy (2-49) also bowled admirably in crunch situations. 

Left-arm spinners Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav sustained the pressure by not allowing easy runs while Hardik Pandya, entrusted with the new ball, kept the pressure by his pace variations. 

The target of 265 was never going to be easy in a knockout game and India lost both the openers after a brisk start. It was left to Kohli and Shreyas Iyer to repair the damage and they rose to the occasion by adding 91 for third wicket. 

After Iyer’s departure for 45 off 62 balls in the 27th over, Kohli found a reliable partner in Patel and they inched towards victory. 

Having smashed an unbeaten century against arch-rivals Pakistan in league outing at the same venue, Kohli again reaffirmed his unmatched class under pressure with another match winning 84. 

He was dropped by Glenn Maxwell which was a tough chance. He looked set for his 52nd ODI hundred but got himself out in the 43rd over. It was a rather unusual shot from the master craftsman, spooning a simple catch to long on.

Pandya’s breezy 28 off 24 balls brought India withing a stroke of victory and the job was completed by Rahul in the following over. 

The wicketkeeper-batter, often under fire for his inconsistency despite possessing enormous talent, silenced his critics by remaining unconquered on 42 off 34 balls with the winning runs coming with as many as 11 deliveries to spare. 

Australia's inexperienced and second-class bowling attack in the absence of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood struggled to keep the Indians in check and the ensuing consecutive partnerships denied any drama or tension in the final overs.

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Chakravarthy’s magical spell stuns New Zealand, sets up India-Australia clash in semifinals

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Leg-spinning sensation, Varun Chakravarthy, during his maiden outing in the tournament, captured five wickets to spin India to 44-run victory over New Zealand in the last league encounter of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at Dubai International Stadium on March 2. 

Having topped the Group A, with six points, Rohit Sharma’s Indian team will now clash with Steve Smith-led Australian side in the first semifinal at the same venue on March 4 while South Africa will take on New Zealand in the other semifinal at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on March 5. 

Proving a mystery for the batsmen, Chakravarthy grabbed five wickets for 42 runs in his quota of ten overs as the Blackcaps, chasing 250 for victory, were bowled out for 205 in the 46th over. 

Master craftsman, Kane Williamson, following a couple of low scores in the earlier games, made amend a defiant 81 off 120 balls with seven boundaries before being stumped by K L Rahul off Axar Patel. 

He seemed set to be playing another match-winning knock before charging down the wicket in pursuit of another aggressive shot. Later, captain Mitchell Santner kept the contest alive by hitting a quick 28 off 31 balls with two towering sixes and a four before he was foxed by Chakravarthy. And the writing was on the wall after his dismissal. 

This was India’s sixth successive victory over New Zealanders in One-day Internationals. This also ended also ended New Zealand’s winning streak of six straight victories including three in Tri-Series in Pakistan during last few weeks. 

Earlier, India recovered from a horrible start to reach 249 for nine in their 50 overs after being sent to bat first in the last league outing of the Champions Trophy. 

The batting in the initial overs was very challenging as the conditions were conducive to swing and seam bowling. The pace trio of Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke were right on the money and even the celebrated Indian top-order was rattled. 

Shubman Gill (2), Rohit Sharma (15) and Virat Kohli (11), all of them world-class batters, perished inside the first seven overs and India struggled at 30 for three. The collapse was reminiscent to the one the Indians had suffered at the hands of the same opponents in the semifinals of the 2019 World Cup. 

Opener Gill was trapped leg before by Henry in the third over and even the review failed to save the top-ranked ODI batter in the world at the moment. 

Skipper Sharma dared played a few productive shots before being caught brilliantly by Will Young off Jamieson trying to pull. He made 15 with a six and a four. Kohli was astonished when Glenn Philips took a spectacular catch at deep gully area. 

Having smashed a match-winning unbeaten 100 against Pakistan in the previous game, the champion batter could make just 11 with the help of two fours. 

The Indian batting line-up looked like sinking but it went to the credit of Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel to have abandoned their natural game in order to come to terms with the tight bowling and superb fielding and incredible catching by the New Zealanders. 

The rate of scoring dipped considerably for a while as they chose to dig deep and play the waiting game, realizing that it was a 50-over contest, not another T20 shootout which is more common these days. 

They, however, changed gears after settling down. With their eyes in, they were able to rotate strike regularly besides punching the loose balls to the boundary. 

The partnership was heading towards mammoth proportions, when part-time spinner Rachin Ravindra provided the breakthrough with Williamson taking another fine catch. 

Left-handed Patel, played the role of a floater with the bat, hit four fours and brace of sixes in his run a ball 45. He and Iyer added 98 runs for the fourth wicket to retrieve the situation. 

Then KL Rahul joined Iyer and they built a 44-run fifth wicket stand. After Iyer left after scoring 79 off 98 balls, it was all-rounder Hardik Pandya (45 off 45 balls) who stretched the Indian total to a fighting 249. 

With so much depth in their batting, India could have added a few more only to be denied by the returning Henry, who claimed five wickets in the game, including a couple in the final over.

The New Zealanders bowled and fielded brilliantly to contain the mighty batting line-up and they looked like the happier side at the halfway stage of the match. That their own batters faltered in the examination at the hands of the spinners later in the evening was another matter.

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South Africa become group champions by thrashing England; fiery spell from Jansen

By Ehsan Qureshi at National Stadium, Karachi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

South Africa stormed into the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 when they thrashed England by seven wickets at National Stadium, Karachi, on March 1 in what turned out to be a one-sided encounter. 

Playing excellent cricket, the South Africans also became the Group B champions with their tally of five points, relegating Australia to the runners-up slot who aggregated four points. 

England ended pointless after suffering their third successive defeat. Overall, it was their seventh defeat in a row in One Day Internationals, already leading to the resignation of their captain, Jos Butler, a day before the third and final league fixture. 

For the rampaging South Africans, batters Heinrich Klassen and Rassie van Der Dussen scored enterprising half-centuries after their lanky left-arm speedster Marco Jansen picked up top three wickets in a fiery spell. 

Chasing a modest victory target of 180, they romped home with more than 20 overs remaining. They lost openers Tristan Stubbs for duck and Ryan Rickelton for 27, both of them to the giant fast bowler, Jofra Archer. 

But der Dussen and Klassen repaired early damage and later charged with brutal power-hitting. The pair put on 127 runs for third wicket to lay the foundation for another comfortable victory. 

Klassen went after making a fluent 64 off 56 balls laced with 11 sizzling boundaries under dazzling lights in the 29th over. Dussen finished undefeated on 72 and his 87-ball knock was studded with six fours and three sixes. 

Electing to bat first, England were jolted by southpaw Jansen, who delivered a sensational opening spell, claiming three wickets in rapid succession. His lethal bouncers proved too hot to handle for the English batters. Later, Wiaan Mulder, a medium-pacer, caused the middle-order wobble with the figures of 3 for 25 and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj took two wickets for 35 runs as England disappointingly got bowled out for 179 in the 39th over. 

Opener Phil Salt hit a couple of boundaries in Jansen’s first over. But on the last ball, he topedged his shot to be neatly caught Dussen for eight. Jamie Smith went for duck after facing just three balls caught by Aiden Markaram off Jansen.

Before England could recover from the setback, in-form opener Ben Duckett also topedged a bouncer. It was a big blow to their chances of compiling a decent score as they crashed to 37 for three in the 17th over. 

Trying to put England innings on track, Joe Root and Harry Brook added 50 runs for the fourth wicket off 52 balls. But Brook’s indifferent form continued as he was brilliantly caught by Jansen for 24. He hit four boundaries in his 21-ball knock. 

Root, when looking good, was bowled by Mulder 37. He clubbed five fours and a six in his 44-ball 37. Liam Livingstone followed him quickly stumped by Dussen. He made only nine. Archer showed flashes of brilliance while making 25 but England’s final total of 179 was below par on a pitch which had plenty of runs. 

Butler’s last outing as captain of England turned out to be a nightmarish one. His job was on the line after the dismal results under his command and he chose to quit voluntarily when his team was knocked out of the event after losing to Afghanistan.

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Pakistan cricket needs to look beyond privileged group of former players

By Naeem-ul-Haq in USA

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan have crashed out of the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 well before the start of the knockout phase of the tournament. Isn’t it shameful and disgraceful to perform so poorly at home? Was there any element of shock or even surprise in their early ouster from yet another major global event? 

For those who are well versed with the dynamics of Pakistan cricket, there was hardly any astonishment in the outcome. As a matter of fact, the kind of squad they had selected for the first-ever ICC tournament being staged in the country after 29 years, you didn’t need to be an expert to comprehend what was in store. 

Entering the mega event with just a solitary specialist spinner, whereas others had assembled hordes of slow bowlers, was nothing short of suicide or stupidity. It was evident that merit had been brutally compromised and quite a few talented players were dropped for inducting those who carried recommendations from influential persons. 

While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) succeeded in finding resources for renovating cricket stadiums in Karachi and Lahore, at whatever costs, they probably didn’t get the time to turn their efforts in ensuring the formation of a squad which was competitive in the field to say the least. 

It is nothing new really because, in the recent past, the PCB has been held hostage by a group of former cricketers who continue to call the shots at their own whims. 

For the last 15 to 20 years, the Pakistan cricket administration has revolved around the likes of Wasim Akram, Rameez Raja, Waqar Younis, Saqlain Mushtaq, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mushtaq Ahmed, Shahid Aslam, Ijaz Ahmed, Aqib Javed, Haroon Rasheed, Mansoor Rana, Intikhab Alam, Iqbal Qasim and a few years. Directly or indirectly, these guys have been running the show in accordance to their own preferences and priorities. 

The heads of the PCB have kept changing, but these former cricketers have had the clout to find their way in the management by hook or by crook. That’s why there is a consistency in intrigues and politicking all along. 

Why don’t the PCB helmsmen turn to people of credibility and proven track record like Aamir Sohail, Jalaluddin, Younis Khan, Rashid Latif and Saeed Anwar? Why don’t we get to see these worthy gentlemen, who served the cause of the game with distinction, in the PCB administration? 

Instead of incorporating cosmetic changes, the PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, should immediately look beyond those who have encircled him to fulfill their own agendas. He should sideline the likes of Wahab Riaz, Aqib Javed, Waqar Younis and Misbah-ul-Haq whose controversial policies have hurt the interests of Pakistan cricket. 

Misbah and Waqar were chiefly responsible for orchestrating the conspiracy against Sarfaraz Ahmed, undoubtedly the most successful of all the Pakistani captains in the recent past. They were guilty of indulging in petty politics to remove Sarfaraz from the scene and hand over the leadership of the team to the quartet of Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan. Together, they have destroyed Pakistan cricket. 

Well, the immediate remedy in my opinion is to take Younis Khan the great on board. He is one person who should be entrusted with the task of building youth cricket. 

He has the rare ability to groom and develop the kind of modern-day cricketers who can graduate to the next level. He can easily contribute to Pakistan cricket what Rahul Dravid did to Indian cricket. 

The PCB will be advised to induct only those former cricketers in the set-up who have had clean record in the past and they are not greedy. Handpicking those with dubious character record may not serve purpose even if they enjoyed some success in the field during their playing days.

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Australia enter Champions Trophy semis after washout, Afghanistan’s chances nosedive

By Ehsan Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

World Champions Australia booked their spot in the semifinals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 while Afghanistan were left at the brink of elimination after their last league tie at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, was abandoned due to rain on February 2. 

Openers Matthew Short and Travis Head provided Australia a whirlwind start of 44 in 4.3 overs before the former was caught by Gulbadin Naib off Azmatullah Omarzai, chasing 274 for victory in 50 overs. 

The Aussies, over the years, do have a habit of getting off to flyers but they seemed to have pressed the accelerator more powerfully in view of the inclement weather which could have brought D/L formula into the equation if their innings went past 20 overs. 

Head, in particular, batted in his typical attacking fashion and punished both the pacers, Omarzai and Fazalhaq Farooqi with his brutal approach. Rain, however, became heavier at the ground in the 13th over and the umpires had to stop play. 

The resumption never looked in sight in the damp conditions and the match was eventually called off. The Australians were in commanding position as Head finished unbeaten on 59 off 40 balls with nine sizzling boundaries and a six. Captain Steve Smith hit two fours in his unbeaten 19 off 22 balls. 

Both Australia and Afghanistan shared the point. With an aggregate of four points from three league outings, Australia progressed to last four round. The washout left Afghanistan stranded at three points and they were expected to be overtaken by South Africa against whom they had lost the opening game. 

Afghanistan, opting to bat first, mustered 273 all out with number three Sidequllah Atal and all-rounder Omarzai hitting sparking half centuries. After losing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck in the fiery opening over from Spencer Johnson, the Afghans battled it out grimly in the next few overs. 

Sediq was subdued initially but went on to score a fighting 85 off 95 balls with six fours and three sixes. Omarzai, as in the previous match, played another brilliant knock. He made a rapid 67 off 63 balls hoisting five sixes, rescuing his team from a precarious 199 for seven. 

Opener Ibrahim Zadran, who registered a record-breaking 177 against England in the previous outing, perished after making 22 off 28 balls as his prized scalp was claimed by Adam Zampa, Australia’s only specialist spinner. 

After the departure of the well-set Sediq, it was Omarzai who defied the Australian bowlers and took the score to 272 before Ben Dwarshuis removed him in last over. Dwarshuis picked up three wickets in the innings while Johnson and Zampa took two each. 

The target of 273 was unlikely to test the experienced Australian batting line-up and the exhilarating start provided by Head and Short increased their chances of recording yet another victory which was prevented by the rains. 

Meanwhile, South Africa will be pitted against England in the last Group B fixture at National Stadium, Karachi, on March 1. Having lost both their matches, England have already been knocked out of the tournament but South Africa, having whipped Afghanistan at the same venue, are the favourites to advance to the semifinals with an outstanding net run rate. Afghanistan can only qualify if South Africa lose the match by a margin of more than 200 runs against the struggling England side which seems extremely unlikely.

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Pakistan-Bangladesh tie also washed out in Champions Trophy

By Ehsan Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

It may not be possible to figure which of the teams, Pakistan or Bangladesh, were happier at the abandonment of game in Rawalpindi due to persistent rain on February 27. 

Apparently, both teams could have felt equally relieved at the outcome because they had already been knocked out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after having lost their first couple of matches. 

The cricket fans were obviously anxious to see some action at the ground and that was not to be. It was the successive game at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium to have been washed out without a ball bowled. Earlier, the much-awaited fixture between Australia and South Africa had also met with similar fate. 

In both the abandoned games, there were hopes for the rain to subside leading to shortened contests. The spectators were left to wait in the rain until the official announcement which obviously caused disappointment for them. 

Unlike Australia and South Africa, both of whom are thought to be among the frontrunners to annex the title, Pakistan and Bangladesh had nightmarish run in the event and neither of them gained any point from their first games.

The washed-out encounter allowed them to open their account in the Group A but a solitary each was of little or no use. Because of the inferior run-rate, the hosts and the defending champions, Pakistan (-1.087) were relegated to the last position in the points table, just behind Bangladesh (-0.443) who finished third despite having same number of points. 

India and New Zealand have already booked their spots in the semifinals and the result of their league fixture on March 2 will determine the group champion. 

It is the third successive ICC tournament in which Pakistan failed to go beyond the first round following the exit in the 50-over ODI World Cup in 2023, followed by the debacle in the T20 World Cup last year.

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