South Africa has become the first team to secure a spot in the final of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. They will face the winner of the match between England and India, with all teams eager to claim the prestigious title. The Proteas, however, may face a tense battle as they have been labelled as chokers in previous ICC tournaments. This time, though, the narrative seems different.
Star Proteas spinner Tabraiz Shamsi addressed the team’s past reputation for choking, attributing it to an over-reliance on a single batter or bowler. Shamsi believes that the current squad has moved beyond this issue, suggesting a more balanced and resilient team dynamic.
Shamsi said: “Everybody’s really relaxed, and in this team, no one is given the responsibility to win the game for the team, If you see maybe other teams or the Proteas teams of the past, there was a specific batter that was relied upon. There was a specific bowler that was relied upon. I personally cannot pinpoint which bowler is responsible for making us win or which batter is responsible for making us win.”
Meanwhile, South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram spoke about the upcoming World Cup final, describing it as just another cricket match where one team will emerge victorious and the other will not. Despite this down-to-earth perspective, Markram emphasized the importance of self-belief, noting that a strong mental state can significantly influence the outcome for the team.
Markram said: ” I don’t really look too much into things like that, to be honest, It’s a game of cricket. Someone has to win, and someone has to lose ultimately. That’s the name of the game. You take it in your stride. You do get belief, though, from winning close games and potentially winning games that you thought you weren’t going to win. It does a lot for your changing room and the vibe in the changing room. We’ll take a little bit of confidence from that and see if we can put it to any use in the final.”
The Proteas’ journey to the final has been marked by determination and teamwork, shaking off the historical stigma of being chokers. As they prepare to face either England or India, the focus remains on maintaining their composure and leveraging their collective strength. Markram’s leadership and Shamsi’s insights reflect a team ready to confront past criticisms and aim for glory in the 2024 T20 World Cup final.
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