(AP Photo)
Aiden Markram expressed a strong preference against future matches on this pitch. However, he was pleased to see his team overcome the challenges of the semi-final track at the Brian Lara Academy stadium.
“If we reflect back on this wicket, we’ll probably be pretty happy that we’re not playing here again. T20 cricket as a whole, you want entertainment,” said Markram in the post-match press meet after SA defeated Afghanistan by nine wickets.
Markram was pleased to witness South Africa triumph on a difficult pitch.
“The wickets that we’ve had throughout the competition have been pretty challenging. It’s hard to tell that a wicket is not good because it can’t just always be a batter’s game.
“Having said that, still taking the positives we can. Wickets are tough. So, finding a way to win is probably the most important thing.”
South Africa is set to head to Barbados for the final, awaiting either India or England.
“We’ve been doing it for most of our careers, you jump from venue to venue where conditions are quite different. So, it’s again just adapting and playing the pitch and the game that’s in front of you.
“We’ll try to find ways to always take wickets with the ball and from a batting point of view try to get to a score that’s defendable. Both teams have to play on the same wicket,” he noted.
The 29-year-old praised South African bowlers for dominating the semifinal by restricting Afghanistan to just 56 runs.
“The bowlers, the whole competition, they’ve been really good. Probably saving the batters on certain occasions. So, you have to give a lot of appreciation towards them,” he said.
Markram also acknowledged Afghanistan’s impressive performance throughout the event.
“It’s really cool to see. They have some of the best (players) in the world at the moment. So, they’re really on a good track. Making a semifinal for them is obviously massive. I think they’ve inspired a lot of people back at home.
“I’ve seen some pictures that inspire us as well to try and make that difference to people back at home. I’m sure it’s not going to be the end of them making knockout cricket,” he concluded.
