South Africa look to finish unbeaten in Super 8s, face Zimbabwe

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NEW DELHI: “Favourites.” It’s a tag that rests heavily on the shoulders of the South African team given their history of choking in global ICC events. However, the new-look team seems to have turned a new leaf after ending their title drought by clinching the World Test Championship (WTC) crown at Lord’s last June. Eight months later, the Aiden Markramled side seem to be charging towards another world title at the T20 World Cup and remain the only unbeaten team in the tournament. The South Africans have already sealed the semifinal berth by winning all six matches and have reduced their final Super 8 game against Zimbabwe here at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday into an inconsequential tie.

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While South African batting coach Ashwell Prince didn’t want to look too far ahead, he admitted that the WTC victory has instilled a lot of belief in the team’s quest for their maiden world title in limited-over format. “Getting over the line in the WTC was a big moment for us as a country and for this group of players, which is largely the same group of players. Quinny (Quinton de Kock) has come back into this format and brings with him a whole lot of experience, adding to the experience of those guys who played the Test Championship final. And what that creates is a lot of confidence and trust. There’s a big belief in your teammates that when their moment presents itself, they can step up and deliver,” he said. Barring the win against Afghanistan, which they prevailed in a Super Over, South Africa have demolished their opponents with ruthless efficiency. Not relying on individual brilliance, this outfit looks like a well-oiled unit. The top-order comprising Markram, Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton have given their side brisk starts in a majority of the matches. When they have failed, the middle-order, especially David Miller and Dewald Brevis, have counterattacked with gusto. The big-hitting Tristian Stubbs has provided the team with finishing touches. It’s their bowling attack, however, that is giving the Proteas a cutting edge. Though Kagiso Rabada has not been at his best, the fast-bowling trinity of Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch have compensated by claiming 31 of the 45 wickets South Africa have claimed in this tournament. The only blip in an otherwise clinical performance by the Markram-led side has been their catching. They have dropped at least eight catches in six games, quite uncharacteristic of a South African side. On the other hand, after setting foot on Indian soil for the Super 8 stage of the competition, the wheels have come off Zimbabwe’s spirited campaign. Already out of semifinal contention, the Zimbabweans haven’t been able to maintain the stranglehold over their rivals like they did on the slow Sri Lankan tracks in the group phase.

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