New Delhi [India], March 2 (ANI): Aiden Markram praised his team's performance following South Africa’s win against Zimbabwe in their final Super 8 fixture of the ongoing T20 World Cup, highlighting the efforts of the bowlers and fielders.
Put in to bat first, Zimbabwe posted a target of 155. In response, the Proteas openers faltered, with skipper Markram dismissed for four, while Quinton de Kock was out without scoring.
Markram noted that the middle order was placed under pressure but responded well to guide the team to victory.
South Africa progressed to the semi-finals as the top-ranked side from Group 1, maintaining a 100 per cent record in the tournament. They will next face New Zealand national cricket team in the semi-final in Kolkata on Wednesday, having already defeated them once in the competition.
'Nice to get the win. Can be a tricky one when you change the team up a bit; some boys are not playing, but thought the bowlers and fielders really stepped up today. Would've loved to be clinical with the bat, but probably not the worst thing that the middle order was put under pressure and came through. The least you can do is give an opportunity to the guys working behind the scenes. Never know if you're gonna need them. Can get to conditions that scream out to play one of them, and now they've got a game under their belt. Yeah, exciting. Really exciting semifinal. Kolkata. Against New Zealand, I believe. The boys will be up for it in a couple of days' time. You look at playing one really good game of cricket, and hopefully the result takes care of itself. Still 40 overs of good cricket needed and we need to give it that respect,' Markram said after the match.
After restricting Zimbabwe to 153/7, the Proteas chased down the target in 17.5 overs, sealing a five-wicket win to extend their unbeaten run at the tournament on Sunday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
(ANI)