SA in T20 WC semis for first time since 2014
THE Proteas are embracing the pressure at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the US and Caribbean, according to star spinner Tabraiz Shamsi.
Aiden Markram’s team qualified for the T20 World Cup semi-finals for the first time since 2014 yesterday after knocking out co-hosts West Indies by three wickets. All-rounder Marco Jansen struck the winning runs with just five balls remaining in another tension-filled encounter.
It was the third time the Proteas have edged over the line in the final over the contest at this T20 World Cup. It certainly is in contrast to previous Proteas teams that have often buckled under the pressure at major ICC tournaments.
The Proteas Class of 2024 are now bidding to become the first men’s senior team to reach a major ICC tournament final since the Champions Trophy success in 1998.
“Obviously, most of the games have been a lot closer than we would have personally liked, but the amazing thing is that this new Proteas team always seems to get over the line,” Shamsi said.
“We've been put under huge pressure basically in every single game that we’ve played and the boys have managed to find a way to win no matter what the situation is, no matter how close the game is.
“So that’s really pleasing for us as a unit, and it’s sort of like in a funny way we’re looking forward to it.”
Shamsi played a starring role in the Proteas’ victory over the West Indies with the wrist-spinner claiming a match-winning 3/28.
It was also the perfect response to the criticism Shamsi suffered due to his perceived inability to handle the big-match pressure after he recorded figures of 1/50 in the previous game against the USA.
“There were certain critics coming out from the woodworks speaking about pressure and how I can’t handle pressure …
“I hope that was enough pressure for me to respond to,” he said.
“There’s a specific job that I’ve got to do. And we’ve all played enough cricket to understand that sometimes it will work, on other days it won’t, and somebody else will cover for you, and vice versa. That’s the mentality that we have within the squad.”
The Proteas will play their semifinal on Thursday where they will likely face Australia, India or Afghanistan.