Champions Trophy: Miller Endorses NZ for Victory, Notes Travel Challenges Ahead of Semi-Final
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Synopsis
South Africa's David Miller supports New Zealand for the 2025 Champions Trophy, highlighting travel issues faced before the semi-final. Despite a century performance, South Africa lost to New Zealand, ending their tournament run. Miller reflects on the desire for a rematch against India from the previous T20 World Cup final.
Key Takeaways
- David Miller endorses New Zealand for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
- Travel between Lahore and Dubai was challenging for South Africa.
- Miller scored a century but lost to New Zealand by 50 runs.
- He expressed disappointment over not facing India in the final.
- Team effort is crucial in achieving success.
Lahore, March 6 (NationPress) South Africa’s seasoned batter David Miller expressed his confidence in New Zealand claiming the 2025 Champions Trophy, while acknowledging that the travel between Lahore and Dubai before their semi-final match was less than ideal.
South Africa flew to Dubai on Sunday right after defeating England in Karachi and returned to Pakistan on Monday following the confirmation of their semi-final match at Gaddafi Stadium against New Zealand, which they ultimately lost by 50 runs on Wednesday, despite Miller scoring an unbeaten century off 67 balls.
"It's only a one-hour-and-forty-minute flight, but the fact that we had to do that was not ideal. It's early morning, it's post-game, and we had to fly. We arrived in Dubai at 4 PM, and by 7:30 AM, we were back on a flight to Pakistan.
"It doesn't make it nice. It's not like we had a five-hour flight with ample time to recover. However, it was still not an ideal situation, to be honest. I think I will be supporting New Zealand,” Miller stated after the game, marking the end of South Africa’s journey in the eight-team tournament.
Miller also wished for South Africa to reach the final and face India in a rematch of the previous year's T20 World Cup final, which the Proteas lost narrowly in Barbados.
"There were significant contributions, with a few fifties at the start. We built a solid foundation, but unfortunately, we lost too many wickets in the middle. Ultimately, it’s a team effort.
"Everyone is striving to do their best. It would have been great to face India again. But life isn’t always fair. Achieving trophies requires hard work," he concluded.
