India has secured its place in the final after defeating Australia in the first semi-final. The second semi-final between South Africa and New Zealand will take place on Wednesday, March 5, at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. On paper, both teams appear to be evenly matched.
Lahore Pitch Favors Pacers Early, Spinners in the Middle Overs
Initially, fast bowlers get assistance in Lahore, but as the match progresses, spinners play a crucial role. The Gaddafi Stadium pitch is slightly slow but does not offer as much turn as the ones in Dubai. It will be interesting to see how both teams’ spinners perform.
So far, Lahore has hosted 76 ODI matches, with the team batting first winning 38 times and the chasing team securing 36 victories.
Gaddafi Stadium Records
- Average first innings score: 256 runs
- Average second innings score: 220 runs
- Highest successful chase: Australia chased 352 runs against England in the group stage of this tournament.
- Highest ODI total: Pakistan scored 375 runs against Zimbabwe in 2015.
- Lowest ODI total: Pakistan was bowled out for just 75 runs against Sri Lanka in 2009.
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South Africa vs New Zealand Head-to-Head Record
South Africa and New Zealand have faced each other 73 times in ODIs:
- South Africa won: 42 matches
- New Zealand won: 26 matches
- No result: 5 matches
In Champions Trophy history, both teams have played twice, winning one match each. However, in ICC knockout matches, New Zealand has a strong record, winning both encounters against South Africa.
Weather Report for Lahore on Match Day
The weather in Lahore on Wednesday is expected to be clear and sunny, with no rain forecast. The temperature will range between 24°C and 10°C. Fans can expect a full 100-over match without any weather interruptions.
