Job done. Canada beaten. Now for the next challenge with Afghanistan lying in wait on Wednesday afternoon in Ahmedabad for the Proteas.
Aiden Markram’s team ticked all the boxes in their comfortable 57-run win over the plucky North Americans in their ICC T20 World Cup opener.
But Afghanistan are much stronger opposition with the Proteas having faced the Afghans in the T20 World Cup semifinals two years ago in Trinidad.
“We’ve seen how the start of this comp, anyone can beat anyone and you don’t take any opposition lightly,” Markram said.
“So, nice start from the boys. I thought all three areas of the game, we were pretty solid and obviously happy with the win.
“(Afghanistan) Semi-finalists in the last edition, day game as well. So, we’ll have to be on it in a couple of days’ time.
“So, get some rest and then bright and early, I think we are here on Wednesday and looking forward to that game.”
The Afghans will also be desperate to get their competition under way after their opening defeat to New Zealand.
Another loss to the Proteas will virtually knock out the 2024 semi-finalists after just two matches.
The stakes are equally high for the Proteas as a victory could virtually seal their progression to the next round barring a catastrophe against the UAE in their final group game.
Markram, who led from the front against Canada with a half-century, was therefore pleased that the middle-order could contribute to the opening game as their role will be integral to the Proteas’ chances moving forward.
The returning David Miller (39 not out off 23 balls) and Tristan Stubbs (34 not out off 19 balls) shared a 75-run partnership off just 37 balls to lift the Proteas to 213/4.
“It’s a really important phase of the game here in India and they had to do a little bit of gardening there for us before they could tee off,” Markram said.
“And I thought they did that really well and then finished really well as well. So, great for them, the confidence to have done it then and yeah, hopefully they can take that confidence and a bit of momentum into the next one.”
