The Kiwis are playing with some sense of urgency in the second-semi-final of the Champions Trophy in Lahore against the Proteas. They won the toss and opted to bat first in Lahore. Historically, the Proteas have not been good chasers in ICC Knockout games and the Kiwis are looking to seize on the advantage.
Opening with Rachin Ravindra, Will Young (21 off 28) first added a 48-run stand for the first wicket with the southpaw. He was dismissed in the 8th over by Lungi Ngidi.
Since then Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra have added an unbeaten century stand for the second wicket. They have added a 133-run stand by the end of the 30th over. They have moved on smoothly from the Young wicket and have developed the partnership with a good mix of caution and aggression.
The Proteas bowlers have been able to slow down the run-scoring rate of the New Zealand side. The two have looked in no trouble whatsoever as they have rotated the strike effortlessly.
They have seamlessly batted in the good conditions and under the hot sun in Lahore. The conditions have not been a problem for the two batters who have now gone past their fifties.
Williamson, the already established and New Zealand's best batter has been anchoring the innings brilliantly and Rachin has been bating with a sense of aggression as well. He was given a life in the 27th over of the innings as Heinrich Klassen missed a straightforward chance off Keshav Maharaj. It was then Kane Williamson as he was dropped by Klaasen again in the 29th over of the Kiwi innings.
The wicket looks a good one for batting and with nine wickets still remaining for the Kiwis they are looking to score at least 300 and beyond. Some good lower-order hitting can also take them to 350. Those two missed opportunities have added insult to injury for the Proteas.
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