The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is heating up, and one of the most anticipated group-stage matches saw India defeating New Zealand by 44 runs. The victory has strengthened India’s position in the tournament and left cricket fans across Pakistan, India, and New Zealand excited for the upcoming semi-finals and final.
Let’s dive deep into match highlights, key player performances, what’s next for India and New Zealand, and why this tournament is so crucial for Pakistan.
India’s Victory Over New Zealand – A Masterclass Performance
The match, held at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, started with India opting to bat first. However, the New Zealand bowling attack made it difficult for the Indian batters to settle.
India’s Batting Highlights:
- Shreyas Iyer played a match-winning knock of 79 runs, stabilizing the innings after early wickets.
- Axar Patel (42) and Hardik Pandya (45) played crucial cameos, pushing India’s total to 249 runs.
- Matt Henry was the standout bowler for New Zealand, taking 5 wickets for 42 runs, keeping India in check.
At one point, it looked like India might not even cross 220, but their middle-order resilience helped them post a competitive total of 249/9 in 50 overs.
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New Zealand’s Chase & India’s Bowling Brilliance

With a target of 250, New Zealand’s openers started cautiously, but soon, India’s bowling attack turned the game around.
India’s Bowling Highlights:
- Varun Chakravarthy was the hero with the ball, taking 5 wickets for just 42 runs.
- Jasprit Bumrah (2/35) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/41) provided crucial breakthroughs.
- Kane Williamson fought back with 81 runs, but the rest of the batting lineup crumbled.
Despite a strong effort, New Zealand was bowled out for 205 runs, falling short by 44 runs.
Semi-Final Line-Up: Can We See an India vs Pakistan Final?

With this win, India has topped Group A and will now face Australia in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, New Zealand will face South Africa in the second semi-final.
For Pakistan’s cricket fans, this means a potential India vs Pakistan final is still on the cards!
- If Pakistan wins their semi-final, and India beats Australia, we could see an epic India vs Pakistan ICC Champions Trophy Final.
- However, Australia and New Zealand remain strong contenders, making the road to the final unpredictable.
Why This Tournament Is Important for Pakistan
The ICC Champions Trophy has always been special for Pakistan, especially after their historic 2017 final win over India. As the tournament returns in 2025, Pakistan is looking to make another strong statement on the global stage.
Key Factors for Pakistan in This Tournament:
Pakistan’s team is in great form, with a balanced squad featuring power hitters and top-class bowlers.
If Pakistan faces India in the final, it will be a chance to repeat the magic of 2017.
The Pakistan-India cricket rivalry is one of the most-watched sports rivalries in the world, and a final between these two teams could break viewership records.
Final Thoughts
With their dominant win over New Zealand, India has proven they are strong contenders for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title. However, the semi-final against Australia will be their toughest test yet.
For Pakistan fans, all eyes will be on the semi-finals and a potential India vs Pakistan showdown.
What do you think? Can we see another India vs Pakistan final, or will we have a surprise winner this time? Let us know in the comments!
FAQs
Who won the India vs New Zealand match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?
India won by 44 runs, securing a spot in the semi-finals.
Who was the top scorer for India in the match?
Shreyas Iyer scored 79 runs, leading India’s batting performance.
Who took the most wickets for India against New Zealand?
Varun Chakravarthy took 5 wickets for 42 runs.
Who will India face in the semi-finals?
India will face Australia in the semi-finals.
Can we see an India vs Pakistan final in the ICC Champions Trophy?
Yes, if both teams win their semi-final matches.