Kane Williamson etched his name in history during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, becoming the first New Zealand player to surpass 19,000 international runs. Already New Zealand’s highest run-scorer across formats, Williamson added another remarkable milestone to his illustrious career.

Entering the match needing just 27 runs to achieve the feat, Williamson reached the landmark comfortably after facing 36 deliveries. Coming in to bat in the 8th over following Will Young’s dismissal by Lungi Ngidi, Williamson overcame early jitters before settling into his usual rhythm. His calm and composed innings further solidified his reputation as one of cricket’s finest batters.

Williamson also became New Zealand’s leading run-scorer in ICC Champions Trophy history during the same match, surpassing Stephen Fleming’s tally of 441 runs in just his 10th innings. Fleming had achieved the mark in 13 matches at an average of 33.92. Williamson’s Champions Trophy record now includes a century and four fifties, underlining his consistency on the big stage.

As New Zealand’s anchor at No. 3, Williamson continues to be a vital figure for his team. With his current form, he is poised to add significantly to his tally as the tournament progresses.