'Don't think we were anywhere near our best tonight': Aiden Markram bashes South Africa's performance after lucky one-run win over Nepal

Nepal gave South Africa a major scare in the latter's last group stage clash of T20 World Cup 2024. Nepal batters lost the plot in the slog overs of the run chase.

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Arun Rawal

Aiden Markram in the post-match presentation (Screengrab: X)

Aiden Markram in the post-match presentation (Screengrab: X)

Highlights:

Aiden Markram wasn't happy with his team's performance against Nepal.

Markram feels that he should have played with two spinners against Nepal.

A look at the points table and it will seem that South Africa have been clinical at the group stage with four consecutive wins. However, the Proteas have registered close wins and their batting is yet to fire in unison. In a dead rubber clash against Nepal, South Africa were expected to dominate but it wasn’t to be. After leaving New York, their batting lineups struggled in Caribbean conditions too. They managed to post 115/7 and once again bowlers were tasked to pull off a tough job. The Aiden Markram-led side won by just one run in a last-ball thriller. The win was a relief but it left several questions for South Africa to answer before the Super 8 stage. 
 

“Very grateful to have got the win. Don't think we were anywhere near our best tonight. For large parts, don’t think we thought we’d be on the right side of that as well. Lot of learnings for us,” Markram said in the post-match presentation. 
 

Two spinners instead of one

Tabraiz Shamsi who replaced Keshav Maharaj was the ‘Player of the match’ with four wickets for just 19 runs. Markram admitted that he did not read the conditions well and should have included another spinner in the side. 
 

“We’ve got a really good pace attack and you have to back that. We spoke about coming in with energy and see if there was anything in the wicket. In hindsight we should’ve played another spinner, didn’t think it would spin that much,” the top-order batter said. 
 

“No injury to Keshav, Shamsi hadn’t played in a while, thought this was a great opportunity to get him some game time. In hindsight we should’ve played both spinners,” he added.
 

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Markram lauds Nepal bowlers

Markram gave credit to Nepal for putting them under pressure. Despite the dismal show, he continues to back the players.
 

“They (Nepal) bowled really well and made it tough for us. They put us under a lot of pressure and it shows the quality they have. Mix that with a lack of conviction in our dressing room so there’s a lot of learnings for us. It’s about backing the players we’ve developed and going forward with that. Conditions very different here, being able to adapt is important and the structure might change going forward. It’s one of the great challenges of cricket, being able to assess conditions and adapt,” said the 29-year-old. 
 

ALSO READ: New Zealand bowl out Uganda for 40, register first win of T20 World Cup 2024 after getting knocked out of Super 8 race

South Africa will face an in-form USA in their first Super 8 clash at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua on June 18. 
 

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