Follow UsNew Zealand played their first two games of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan before travelling to Dubai for the last group-stage encounter against India. The Black Caps have headed back to Pakistan for their semi-final against South Africa on March 5.
If they win that game and India beat Australia in their semi-final, New Zealand will once again have to return to Dubai for the grand final. All this because India refused to play in Pakistan, but New Zealand's wicketkeeper-batter Tom Latham isn’t too worried and just wants to focus on what they can control.
“That's something that's out of our control. We don't decide the schedule, for us it is about turning up at each game regardless of where it is and trying to play our best brand of cricket as best we can,” said Latham.
“So, whether it be here, whether it be in Pakistan, our focus will obviously be on South Africa. We're fortunate enough we had a tri-series in Pakistan and against South Africa. We've got a chance to look back on those experiences and give it our best in a semi-final, which is pretty cool.
“We've got to adapt on different surfaces, whether it be in Pakistan or whether it be here in Dubai. First and foremost, we've got a semifinal that we obviously want to win. And we're not looking too far past that at this stage.”
New Zealand defeated Pakistan and Bangladesh in their first two fixtures of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 but fell short by 44 runs against Rohit Sharma and his men. They will now be up against South Africa, who have done well in ICC tournaments in the last few years.
The Proteas qualified for the semis of the 2023 ODI World Cup and then finished as the runners-up in the 2024 T20 World Cup. South Africa are also set to play Australia in the final of the World Test Championship later this year.
“They're going to be a huge challenge. As you said, they've been playing some fantastic cricket in this tournament, but also, as you said, probably the last year. They've got some match-winners throughout their side and they've been playing fantastically well in these conditions," Latham said.
“Another great opportunity, I guess, for both sides to put a performance on the board and obviously to the chance of making an ICC final, which is obviously what everyone's wanting to achieve.
“We know that there's a lot of hard work to do to get to that point, but we know how strong South Africa are. They've got all bases covered in terms of batting, bowling and in the field. So, I guess you look at it, I'm sure it'll be a fantastic game, and I'm sure both teams are really looking forward to it.”