'An opportunity we have never had': SA skipper Aiden Markram on reaching first-ever World Cup final

Tarouba (Trinid), Jun 27 (PTI) After guiding South Africa to ir maiden T20 World Cup final, skipper Aiden Markram urged his players to stay calm and not to be "scared" of title clash.

South Africa demolished Afghanistan by nine wickets in first semifinal and now await winners of second last-four clash between India and England.

"It is one more step for us, it ( final) is an opportunity we have never h, nothing to be scared of," said Markram in post-match presentation ceremony.

"This win means a lot. We have some world-class players in side but like I said, it takes a whole squ to be able to deliver such a performance.” Markram lauded his bowlers for bowling out Afghanistan for a lowly 56.

"We were brilliant with ball, got it in right areas and kept it really simple. bowlers have been incredible for us." Markram said batting was a bit challenging on pitch that offered pronounced seam movement.

"It was challenging with bat, as no batter is going to lie and tell you it was easy out re. We h a bit of luck and n got a bit of a partnership.” 29-year-old said whole team was relieved after closing out match easily.

“We have h a few close games and a few people back home would have woken up early with more grey hairs. Gl today was a bit more comforting,” he ded.

Player of match Marco Jansen, who picked up three early wickets, said y were focusing on keeping ball in right areas.

“Awesome feeling. guys played really well, we executed perfectly. We just wanted to stick to our plan, bowl good lengths and see how wicket reacts.

“ wicket was getting a bit open, and it was about keeping it simple.” 

Tough for us: Rashid Khan 

Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan did not hide his disappointment after going down to South Africa in a one-sided semifinal.

"It was tough for us as a team. We might have done better but conditions didn't allow us to do what we wanted. That's how T20 cricket is, you need to be rey for all conditions," a dejected Rashid said.

However, spinner believes his side, which reached its maiden semifinals, has learned a lot from this tournament.

"It is just beginning for us, we have confidence and belief to beat any side. We just need to keep our processes. This has been a great learning experience for us.

"What we take from competition is belief. We know we have skills, it is just about managing tough and pressure situations,” he noted.

So, is re any area he can think of improving as a team? "Yes, some work to be done, especially in middle order to take innings deep. We have achieved good results so far but we come back doing more hard work, especially in batting department.” Rashid credited South African pacers for sticking to ir guns in a stellar fashion.

“I think y bowled really well. I think we got good success in this tournament because seamers bowled really well. You need good starts (when bowlers are on top).” 25-year-old said Afghan bowlers too did just fine throughout event.

“I think we were unlucky with Mujeeb's injury, but our seamers and even (Mohamm) Nabi bowled brilliantly with new ball. That me our job easier as spinners.

We will accept playing a semifinal and losing to a top side like South Africa,” he ded. PTI UNG APA APA