Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has added that South Africa are the slight favourites in their 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final against New Zealand. He further added that the Kiwis are still seeking answers to a few questions before the most important clash. However, South Africa and New Zealand will play against each other in the second semi-final of the 2025 Champions Trophy in Lahore on Wednesday, March 5.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra’, he said, “I am saying South Africa have a slight edge. New Zealand are coming after losing the last match, and they are still searching for answers to a few questions. The question (for South Africa) will be whether Tabraiz Shamsi can be played. I think Marco Jansen is that X-factor.”
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“There isn’t a massive difference in terms of who has the edge, but there is a slight difference. I am leaning towards South Africa. They have batting might and variety in bowling. It’s a more all-rounded team. It seems to be a more prepared team. This team has started progressing in ICC events,” he again shared.
However, Aakash Chopra added that New Zealand cannot be taken lightly and he also asked them to include Devon Conway in their playing XI for their 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final match against South Africa.
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“New Zealand, rule them out at your own peril. They have a question whether they should play Devon Conway. I don’t see many changes. This is not the team that changes after every match. I wish they play Devon Conway because he is actually quite good. Their strength is to combine the five fingers to make a fist. They are a superstar team but not a team of superstars. I feel their bowling is slightly weak. They do have a few weaknesses in bowling. The fast bowling attack is a little undercooked. So you can exploit that,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
