This was New Zealand\u2019s seventh ICC final, and first since the 2021 T20 World Cup summit clash, which the Kiwis lost to Australia in Dubai.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Of the seven finals New Zealand has played, it has won two; the ICC Knockout in 2000 and the World Test Championship (WTC) final in 2021.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Speaking on the latest edition of The ICC Review, Ponting said, \u201cI don't think it (New Zealand\u2019s campaign) went wrong at all. I think they had another outstanding tournament. They were brilliant right the way through.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI was asked at the start of the tournament who I thought the final four would be, and as soon as you start talking about top fours for ICC events, you just have to put New Zealand in it because they just always do it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAnd I didn't do it this time because I thought Pakistan would make it being at home, and I thought South Africa would make it. So I didn't have New Zealand there and sure enough there they are again.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ponting also highlighted New Zealand's win over South Africa by 50 runs in the semifinal after putting up a mammoth 362\/5 on the board at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAnd what a dominant performance it was against South Africa in their semi-final to make it through to the final. You probably can't play a better game of one-day cricket than that. To bat first and make 360-odd, I think it's the highest total ever in a Champions Trophy game,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ponting went on to applaud the exploits of Matt Henry, who missed out on the final owing to an injury - closing the tournament as the leading wicket-taker.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ponting further applauded Kiwi pacer Matt Henry, who missed out on the final owing to an injury but closed out the tournament as the leading wicket-taker.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThey just came up against a really good team in the final, and they weren't far away. India won in the 49th or 50th over. They haven't done a lot wrong,\" Ponting continued.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ponting further applauded Kiwi pacer Matt Henry, who missed out on the final owing to an injury but closed out the tournament as the leading wicket-taker.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> Highest tax paying cricketers<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n