South Africa and New Zealand will face off in the second semifinal of the ICC Champions Trophy on Wednesday at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Led by Temba Bavuma, South Africa enters the clash unbeaten, having secured dominant wins over Afghanistan and England. They will look to continue their impressive run. Meanwhile, New Zealand started strong with consecutive group-stage victories but suffered a setback against India in their final match.
With both teams boasting strong squads, a thrilling contest is on the cards. As they prepare for this high-stakes encounter, all eyes will be on how the Gaddafi Stadium pitch influences the game.
Gaddafi Stadium Pitch Report
The Gaddafi Stadium pitch in Lahore has favored stroke play in this Champions Trophy, with an average scoring rate of 6.65. Batters will benefit from its pace and bounce, while pacers may struggle due to the hot conditions, relying on variations for impact. Spinners could get some turn, especially in the second innings, having claimed 39.02% of the tournament’s wickets here. Overall, it’s a batting-friendly surface, and a high-scoring game is likely. Unless the pitch is exceptionally dry, the toss-winning team may prefer to bowl first and chase the target.
Gaddafi Stadium Stats in ODI
| Total Matches | 76 |
| Matches Won Batting First | 38 |
| Matches Won Bowling First | 36 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 256 |
| Average 2nd Innings Score | 220 |
| Highest Total Recorded | 375/3 (50 Ovs) – Pakistan vs. Zimbabwe |
| Lowest Total Recorded | 75/10 (22.5 Ovs) – Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka |
| Highest Score Chased | 356/5 (47.3 Ovs) – Australia vs. England |
| Lowest Score Defended | 170/8 (40 Ovs) – West Indies vs. Pakistan |
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