David Miller's Record-Breaking Innings
The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy semifinal witnessed a thrilling display of cricket as South African batter David Miller etched his name in history. During an intense face-off against New Zealand at Lahore's iconic Gaddafi Stadium, Miller unleashed a spectacular inning of sheer power and finesse, achieving the fastest century in the tournament's annals. His record-breaking effort of 100* came in just 67 balls, effectively rewriting a 23-year-old record previously held by India's Virender Sehwag, who had reached his century mark in 77 balls.
Miller's innings was a masterclass in explosive cricket, punctuated by 10 beautifully timed boundaries and 4 towering sixes. It wasn't just about speed, but the vibrancy of his strokes that captivated the crowd, making his century not just a statistic but a spectacle.
Impact and Aftermath
Despite Miller's heroics, the South African team struggled in their pursuit of New Zealand's formidable target of 363 runs, eventually losing by 50 runs. The chase began with promise, but South Africa's innings faltered under pressure, despite a resilient 66-run stand between Miller and Lungi Ngidi in the final stages. Miller's brilliance wasn't enough as the team lost 9 wickets and managed to reach only 312.
For their part, New Zealand's bowlers made critical contributions to their side's success. Mitchell Santner shone with figures of 3/43, consistently applying pressure with his spin, while fast bowler Matt Henry's 2/36 made scoring tough for the Proteas. The victory paved the way for New Zealand to face India in the final, a testament to their well-rounded team effort.
Miller's century might have been bittersweet for South Africa, marking another exit from an ICC event at the semifinal stage. Yet, this record further underscored Miller's stature as an elite finisher in the cricketing world. It was his second century in ICC knockout matches, following an unbeaten 101* in the 2023 World Cup semi-final, reinforcing his reputation as a player for the big moments.