South African captain Aiden Markram definitely didn’t want to play another game on this pitch, but he was really happy to see his team handle a tough surface in the semifinal and reach their first T20 World Cup final. The field at the Brian Lara Academy stadium had a lot of seam movement, and South Africa’s fast bowlers used it well to dismiss Afghanistan for just 56 runs.
“Looking back at this pitch, we’ll likely be glad we won’t play here again. T20 cricket is all about entertainment,” Markram mentioned during the post-game interview after South Africa beat Afghanistan by nine wickets.
Markram was happy to see South Africa win on a difficult pitch.
“The pitches we’ve faced in the tournament have been tough. It’s not fair to say a pitch is bad just because it’s not always easy for the batters.
“With that in mind, we’re focusing on the positives. The pitches are challenging, so finding a way to win is the most important thing.” South Africa is now heading to Barbados for the final, where they might face either India or England.
We’ve been doing this for a long time, moving from one place to another where things are very different. So, it’s about adjusting and playing according to the field and the game you’re in.
We’ll look for ways to always get wickets with the ball and try to score enough runs to protect our lead. Both teams play on the same field,” he said.
For now, Markram is enjoying the excitement of being in a World Cup final.
“The things we’re feeling now are really good. This team has been together for a long time as a white ball group, and it’s great for us to reach the final.
We think and know that we can play against the best teams in the world and win prizes. It’s great for us to have this chance now.” The captain of South Africa said that winning tight matches in the early rounds and the Super Eights part of the competition made them feel more confident.
“Winning close games does give you confidence, and it can also make you believe that you can win games even when you didn’t think you could.”
“It helps improve the atmosphere in your changing room. We’ll use a bit of that confidence and try to make good use of it in the final,” he said.
In a sense, South Africa has made up for their previous losses in big international events. However, Markram said that they don’t talk about the past in their current dressing room.
Honestly, we haven’t talked about it. I believe it’s a personal drive that pushes you to reach the final and have the chance to win the trophy.
“Looking back, we didn’t make it past the semifinal in the 50-over World Cup against Australia. But tonight, some things went our way. We won the game and ended up in the final.” The 29-year-old praised the South African bowlers for dominating the semifinal by bowling out Afghanistan for a very low score of 56.
The bowlers have done a great job throughout the competition, sometimes helping the batters out. They deserve a lot of praise.
Markram was the captain when South Africa won the under-19 World Cup ten years ago, but he didn’t rely much on that experience for this situation.
He said, “It was a long time ago and I don’t remember much, but knowing I’ve succeeded at a high level before gives me some confidence and belief. There are similar pressures in the final that you have to handle.”
Markram was kind enough to recognize the great performance Afghanistan had in this event.
“It’s really nice to see. They have some of the best players in the world right now. So, they’re doing really well. Reaching the semifinals is a big deal for them. I think they’ve encouraged many people back in their country.
“I’ve seen some pictures that also motivate us to try and make a difference for people back in our own country. I’m sure this won’t be the last time we see them in knockout cricket,” he concluded.
