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NZ Reach Final, Steve Smith Retires And IPL Schedule Change – March 5 Cricket Highlights

Aakash Saini

New Zealand players and Steve Smith [Source: @BLACKCAPS, @cricketcomau/x]New Zealand players and Steve Smith [Source: @BLACKCAPS, @cricketcomau/x]

New Zealand crashed Group B table-toppers South Africa to reach the final of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Steve Smith announced his retirement from ODI cricket. Furthermore, Afghanistan star Azmatullah Omarzai became the new number one ranked all-rounder in ODIs. 

Capping an eventful day in the world of cricket, here we take a look at five of the biggest cricketing news that emerged out of Wednesday, March 5.

Ravindra, Williamson Tons Wallop South Africa In Semis

New Zealand demoralized South Africa by 50 runs in the second semifinal of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Batting first, the New Zealand cricket team accrued 362-6 from 50 overs courtesy of regal centuries from Rachin Ravindra and senior man Kane Williamson. Glenn Phillips also belted an unbeaten 49* from just 27 deliveries during the slog overs of the innings.

In response, South Africa managed just 312-9 from 50 overs despite featuring a 67-ball hundred from unbeaten David Miller. For New Zealand, captain Mitchell Santner picked up three wickets in his 10 overs while Matt Henry and Phillips chipped in with two wickets each. The ‘Black Caps’ will now face Team India in the final on Sunday, March 9.

Steve Smith Retires From ODI Cricket

Australian batting legend Steve Smith announced his retirement from ODI cricket. The 35-year-old confirmed his decision a day after Australia lost to India in the semifinal of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. A veteran of 170 ODI caps, Smith was part of the Australian team that lifted the 2015 and 2023 World Cups in Australia and India respectively.

Having made his ODI debut back in February 2010, the cricketer aggregated 5,800 runs at an average of 43.28, with 12 hundreds and 35 half-centuries in the process.

Azmatullah Omarzai Becomes Number One ODI All-Rounder

Azmatullah Omarzai became the new number one ranked all-rounder in ODI cricket, leapfrogging Afghanistan teammate Mohammad Nabi and Zimbabwean legend Sikandar Raza on the latest ICC rankings. Omarzai is currently occupying the top spot with 296 rating points to find himself four points clear of second-placed Nabi (292 points).

Mehidy Hasan Miraz retained his fourth spot, while Mitchell Santner and Rashid Khan swapped places to be ranked fifth and sixth respectively. Glenn Maxwell, Brandon McMullen, Ravindra Jadeja and Gerhard Erasmus are the other players to round up the top 10 all-rounders charts.

KKR’s Home Game Vs LSG Faces Security Risk

The IPL 2025 home game of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise against LSG on April 6 is facing a potential security risk as its schedule will also coincide with the religious festival of Ram Navami. As reported by India Today, the Kolkata police has already expressed their inability of providing the adequate security for the KKR vs LSG game at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The report further indicates that the authorities are currently looking for a viable solution.

Saud Shakeel Timed Out In Pakistan’s Domestic Cricket

Pakistan cricketer Saud Shakeel was timed out while playing for the State Bank of Pakistan in the final of the 2025 President’s Trophy Grade-1 against Pakistan Television. Shakeel was set to bat at number five but he failed to make it to the crease within the stipulated three-minute time period at a time when wickets fell in a canter. As per reports, the Pakistani batter dozed off and missed his chance to bat on time.

Pakistan Television captain Amad Butt promptly appealed for a possible time-out, prompting the on-field umpires to rule the cricketer out of the field.