June 27th 2024.
Tarouba: South African captain Aiden Markram was not keen on playing another match on this pitch, but he was thrilled to see his team conquer the challenging conditions in the semifinal and advance to their first ever T20 World Cup final. The deck at the Brian Lara Academy stadium proved to be a tough one, with plenty of movement off the seam, but the South African quicks used it to their advantage and bowled out Afghanistan for a mere 56 runs.
Reflecting on the pitch, Markram commented, "If we look back on this wicket, we'll probably be pretty happy that we won't have to play on it again. After all, T20 cricket is all about entertainment." In the post-match press conference, he expressed his delight at seeing his team find a way to win on such a difficult strip. "The wickets we've had throughout the competition have been quite challenging. It's not always a batsman's game and it's important to adapt and find a way to win," Markram said.
Looking ahead to the final, South Africa will now travel to Barbados to face either India or England. Markram acknowledged the challenges of playing in different venues with varying conditions, but emphasized the importance of adapting and playing the game in front of them. "We'll always try to take wickets with the ball and set a defendable score with the bat. The conditions may be different, but both teams will have to play on the same pitch," he added.
But for now, Markram and his team are savoring the feeling of reaching a World Cup final. "It's an incredible feeling. This team has been together for a long time and it's a great moment for us to reach the final. We have the belief and ability to compete with the best in the world and win trophies. It's a fantastic opportunity for us," he said.
Markram also credited the team's performance in close games during the group and Super Eights stages for boosting their confidence. "Winning close games and overcoming challenges definitely builds belief and adds to the positive atmosphere in the dressing room. We'll take that confidence and try to use it in the final," he said.
While South Africa has finally made it to the final, Markram insisted that the team is not dwelling on past failures in global events. "We haven't discussed it to be honest. As individuals, we are motivated to reach the final and have a chance to lift the trophy. We may have fallen short in previous semifinals, but tonight, a few things went our way and we managed to win the game and secure our spot in the final," he explained.
As for his own experience in winning the under-19 World Cup a decade ago, Markram acknowledged that it may provide a small boost of confidence, but ultimately it's about dealing with the pressures and challenges of playing in a final. "That was a long time ago and my memory is not the best, but it does give me some belief and confidence knowing that I have been in a similar position before. Playing in a final comes with its own set of pressures," he said.
Markram also took a moment to acknowledge the remarkable journey of Afghanistan in this tournament. "It's truly amazing to see their progress. They have some of the best players in the world right now and they are on the right track. Making it to the semifinals is a huge achievement for them and I'm sure they have inspired many back home. We have also been inspired by their journey and we hope to make a difference for our own fans," he said. In conclusion, Markram predicted that this is not the end for Afghanistan in knockout cricket and they will continue to make strides in the future.
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