Cricket

Proteas aim to ‘exploit’ Pakistan’s fragile confidence at T20 World Cup



South Africa’s David Miller warned Wednesday they are going to look to “exploit” Pakistan’s broken confidence ranges as they attempt to seal a Twenty20 World Cup semi-final spot and ship their opponents packing.

The Proteas have been touted as darkish horses within the lead-up to the showpiece in Australia and have confirmed why with a fearsome tempo assault and batsmen in kind.

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Ahead of different matches in Group 2 later Wednesday, they topped the desk with two wins from three matches together with victory over India. South Africa’s third sport was washed out.

In distinction, Pakistan are fifth and their World Cup destiny will likely be sealed if South Africa beat them at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday.

‘All about confidence’

Pakistan’s much-vaunted opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have failed to fireplace in three matches at the World Cup and are beneath strain to discover kind, and quick.

“I think it is an area to exploit,” mentioned middle-order batsman Miller.

“This sport is all about confidence they usually haven’t in all probability carried out the way in which they’ve wished to.

“But they’re world-class players and we’re expecting them to come out and bring their A-game and be up for the challenge.”

Pakistan bowler Naseem Shah denied that his facet are nonetheless dwelling on their agonising opening defeat to India.

Naseem Shah is assured Pakistan can bounce again at the T20 World Cup. Picture: Getty Images

Pakistan have been crushed on the final ball by their arch-rivals and adopted that up with a shock defeat to Zimbabwe, earlier than thrashing the Netherlands.

Put to him by reporters that Pakistan have failed to get well mentally from the India defeat, quick bowler Naseem replied: “No, I don’t assume so as a result of everyone seems to be skilled and everybody is aware of about oneself.

“We lost against India, but I don’t think anyone is thinking about the India game because as a professional you can’t think about the past when you lose, then especially, you can’t be thinking that.”

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Miller hit an unbeaten half-century in a nervy five-wicket win over India which underlined South Africa’s title credentials — and their resilience.

“I suppose we are finding lots of ways to win,” he mentioned.

“We’ve achieved it over a time period now. I’d say in all probability the final yr, we’ve discovered ourselves in tough conditions and managed to recover from the road.

“I think the continuity of the squad over time, guys have managed to sort of find their roles and if one guy isn’t doing well, another guy picks up the slack.”


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