The Proteas made a comfortable, confident start to the T20 World Cup on Monday as they cruised to a 57-run victory over Canada in Ahmedabad.
A solid batting display, highlighting by an eye-catching 59 from captain Aiden Markram, set up a formidable total of 213. This was backed up by the bowlers, particularly Lungi Ngidi (4-31), as South Africa ensured there would be no chance of any shock result.
However, things are about to get ‘real’ in Group D as the Proteas next take on unpredictable Afghanistan on Wednesday. Play starts at 07:30 (SA time).
“We’ve seen how the start of this competition, anyone can beat anyone and you don’t take any opposition lightly,” Markram said after Monday’s opening win.
“It was a nice start from the boys. I thought all three areas of the game, we were pretty solid and obviously happy with the win.
“Afghanistan were semi-finalists in the last edition, so we’ll have to be on it. We’ll go get some rest and then bright and early we are here on Wednesday and looking forward to that game.”
PROTEAS’ UPCOMING FIXTURES AT THE T20 WORLD CUP
Wednesday, 11 February at 07:30
South Africa vs Afghanistan – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Friday, 14 February at 15:30
New Zealand vs South Africa – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Tuesday, 18 February at 07:30
South Africa vs United Arab Emirates – Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
SA squad
Aiden Markram (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Corbin Bosch (Momentum Multiply Titans), Dewald Brevis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Quinton de Kock (DP World Lions), Tony de Zorzi (World Sports Betting Western Province), Donovan Ferreira (Momentum Multiply Titans), Marco Jansen (Momentum Multiply Titans), George Linde (World Sports Betting Western Province), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kwena Maphaka (DP World Lions), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Anrich Nortje (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions) and Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).
