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The official X handle of PCB’s media department shared a video on Wednesday in which Rajeev Shukla can be seen watching the second semifinal match at Gaddafi Stadium.
Rajeev Shukla watches New Zealand-South Africa Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal in Lahore. (Picture Credit: Screengrab)
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has travelled to Lahore to watch the second semifinal of the Champions Trophy 2025. The second knockout match of the Champions Trophy 2025 is taking place between New Zealand and South Africa at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday (March 5). The winner of this match will face India in the final of the Champions Trophy 2025 on Sunday in Dubai.
Team India booked its place in the summit clash on Tuesday (March 4) by securing a four-wicket win over Australia in the first semifinal match played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The X handle of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) media department shared a video of Rajeev Shukla watching the match along with PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi attends the ICC #ChampionsTrophy semi-final at Gaddafi Stadium alongside BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla. Officials from Bangladesh, New Zealand, South Africa and Zimbabwe cricket boards are also watching the #NZvSA match. pic.twitter.com/NxijhIoYvG— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) March 5, 2025
It is the second time in the last couple of years that Shukla has travelled to Pakistan to watch a cricket team. During the Asia Cup 2023 as well, he travelled to the other side of the border along with BCCI president Roger Binny.
In the second semifinal match of the Champions Trophy, after Mitchell Santner won the toss and decided to bat first, Kiwis rode on centuries from Rachin Ravindra (108) and Kane Williamson to post a total of 362 runs on the board for the loss of six wickets in 50 overs. Apart from Rachin and Kane, Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips scored 49 runs each.
During his stay at the crease on Wednesday, Rachin faced 101 balls and hammered 13 fours in addition to one six. The century against South Africa was his second triple-digit score in the ongoing tournament and overall fifth in ICC ODI matches. With five centuries to his name in 13 matches, Rachin broke Shikhar Dhawan’s record of being the fastest batter in the world to score five centuries in ICC ODI events.
He also became only the fifth batter in the world after Saeed Anwar, Sourav Ganguly, Upul Tharanga, and Dhawan to score multiple centuries in one edition of the ODI World Cup as well as the Champions Trophy.
In the 2023 ODI World Cup for New Zealand, which was played entirely in India, Rachin scored three centuries—vs. England, vs Australia, and against Pakistan—for the Black Caps and played a big role in the Kane Williamson-led side’s run to the semifinal, where they lost to India by 70 runs.
- Location :
Lahore, Pakistan