New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson broke several records in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final match against South Africa in Lahore. Their titanic 164-run partnership is now the Black Caps' all-time highest-ever stand in the history of the tournament.

Both the centurions are back in the hut. New Zealand are 252/3 after 40 overs.

📸: JioStar pic.twitter.com/uOalYeMsUb

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 5, 2025

Both the batsmen also scored centuries, playing key roles in helping New Zealand to a huge total of 362 runs.

Ravindra's Century and Record-Breaking Stand

Ravindra was the key to this record-breaking alliance, hitting an unbelievable 108 off 101 deliveries. His innings were laced with classy shots and elegant shot-making before he was dismissed in the 34th over. Kagiso Rabada got rid of him with a wide off-cutter, which brought about an edge, that Heinrich Klaasen glove-slid behind the stumps safely.

Williamson Completes His Ton After Ravindra’s Departure

Williamson came in to join Ravindra quite early in the innings after Will Young was dismissed within the initial 10 overs. The pair took the Kiwis beyond the 210-run mark, keeping the South African bowlers on their toes.
Whereas Ravindra batted with ferocity, Williamson kept the scoreboard ticking through well-timed singles and strategic boundary hits. After Ravindra got out, Williamson batted on smoothly with Daryl Mitchell.

ALSO SEE: We will play fearless cricket says Pakistan New T20 captain Salman Ali Aga

He completed his century in the 40th over, reaching it in 91 balls. His innings, though, came to an end at 102 off 94 balls when he tried a scoop shot off Wiaan Mulder but could not get a clean connection. His elegant knock contained 10 fours and 2 sixes.

A Record-Breaking Partnership

The 164-run stand between Williamson and Ravindra is now the highest by a New Zealand pair in Champions Trophy history. According to Cricbuzz, the earlier record was a 163-run partnership between Scott Styris and Nathan Astle against the USA at The Oval in 2004.

Two players scoring centuries in the same innings in ICC knockouts

S Watson & R Ponting vs 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿, 2009 CT SF
T Dilshan & U Tharanga vs 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿, 2011 WC QF
T Head & S Smith vs 🇮🇳, 2023 WTC Final
V Kohli & S Iyer vs 🇳🇿, 2023 WC SF
R Ravindra & K Williamson vs 🇿🇦, 2025 CT SF… pic.twitter.com/U0iSnghg96

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 5, 2025

Moreover, Ravindra and Williamson are also the new record holders of the highest partnership against South Africa in the tournament. The old record was also 163, which was held by England's Paul Collingwood and Owais Shah in 2009.

Massive Feats for the Duo

Ravindra was the first New Zealand cricketer to make more than one century in a single Champions Trophy season. Williamson later joined him in the exclusive club of NZ batsmen with more than one Champions Trophy hundred overall.

Ravindra has now achieved the second-lowest number of innings to reach five ODI centuries for New Zealand, as per Cricbuzz. Only Devon Conway has done it quicker, reaching the mark in 22 innings.

At the same time, Williamson is currently second on the list of New Zealand batsmen with the most ODI centuries against one team. He trails Nathan Astle (five against India) and Ross Taylor (five against England).

Thanks to their record-breaking innings, Ravindra and Williamson have secured their position in New Zealand cricket history, leading their side to a strong total in a high-pressure semi-final.