After going through all the tangled scheduling, New Zealand returns to its recent favorite venue in Pakistan when it takes on South Africa in the second semifinal of the Champions Trophy in Lahore on Wednesday.

Al Jazeera looks at the second semifinal of cricket’s Champions Trophy on Tuesday with New Zealand facing South Africa.

New Zealand bring "positive emotions" on their return to Lahore for the Champions Trophy semi-final against South Africa after good results during the Pakistan tri-series, coach Gary Stead said on Tuesday.

Follow live coverage of South Africa vs New Zealand from the ICC Champions Trophy today. The ICC Test Championship sees nine teams compete across a two-year cycle of matches before a two-team final decides the winner. The inaugural competition was won by New Zealand after a thrilling victory over India in June 2021.

Late-cut, sweep and backfoot punch are Kane Williamson's characteristic strokes and could well come in play in the semifinal against South Africa in the Champions Trophy in Lahore on Wednesday.

South Africa will re-embark on an agonising quest for their first piece of ICC silverware since 1998 when they face New Zealand in Wednesday's semi-final of the Champions Trophy in Lahore, the scene of a high-scoring tussle between the duo last month.

New Zealand and South Africa have each scored one of the six totals of 300 or more in the tournament, both in Karachi

Both South Africa and New Zealand have won the ICC Champions Trophy (ICC Knockout Trophy) once each in 1998 and 2000 respectively