AB wants batsmen to show some fight

South Africa captain AB de Villiers said a lack of significant partnerships was the reason his side could not chase down a modest Pakistan total in the World Cup Pool B clash in Auckland on Saturday.
After bowling Pakistan out for 222 inside 47 overs, the Proteas, who have scored more than 400 in each of their last two matches, folded and were dismissed for 202 to give the team from Asia a thrilling win.
De Villiers was the lone South Africa batsman to show any sort of fight, scoring 77 before being dismissed with 32 runs still needed. The next best Protea batsman was Hashim Amla with 28.
After the match AB said: "It’s a disappointing loss. We didn't get enough partnerships during the pressure situations. We have done it in the past but unfortunately tonight we couldn't do that.
"I felt that Pakistan wanted it more than us. There is nothing wrong with the batting, it’s a matter of urgency and being prepared to fight it out."
There seems to be a thought that if De Villiers does not make runs the Proteas would not do well, it certainly was the case on Saturday, as without the skipper the Proteas would have lost by a huge margin
On maybe the Proteas relying to much on him, De Villiers said: "I have full faith in the abilities of the players around me, that is why they are all here. I know I can't win this World Cup alone, there is no way, I need my teammates and I know they have the capabilities to do that.
"It’s a matter of pulling together as a side and moving forward as a unit."
Latest
-
News
Temba Bavuma and Dean Elgar named Proteas captains
Temba Bavuma is set to lead the Proteas in the 2021 and 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cups as well as the ICC Men’s World Cup in 2023
-
News
Ben Stokes admits England came up well short with the bat again in India
The tourists were skittled for 205 after winning the toss.
-
News
India v England, day 1: England left to rue familiar failings
The tourists surprised many by selecting James Anderson as their only frontline seamer.
-
News
England’s batting woes in India continue on opening day of fourth Test
The tourists were skittled for 205 after winning the toss.
-
News
England batsmen in a spin again as India take control in Ahmedabad
The tourists could not take advantage of winning the toss on the most reliable surface since the series opener.
-
News
England on uneasy ground at tea in fourth Test
The fourth Test was delicately poised after two sessions.
-
News
Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes steady England after early losses
England unveiled a surprising team selection for the fourth Test.
-
News
Kieron Pollard hits six sixes in an over in West Indies’ T20 win over Sri Lanka
The Trinidadian shares the achievement with former India batsman Yuvraj Singh.
-
News
Paul Collingwood expects James Anderson and Stuart Broad to excel in the Ashes
Anderson and Broad’s combined age at the start of that series will be 74.
-
News
New Zealand stars Devon Conway and Martin Guptill move up in T20I Rankings
Stoinis, Southee, Santner and Sodhi among others to advance in men’s weekly update after first two matches of New Zealand-Australia series.