Faf: Keeping focused under pressure is key
South Africa T20 captain Faf du Plessis has a simple recipe for success in the World T20 semi-final against India: key decision-making during pressure situations.
South Africa T20 captain Faf du Plessis has a simple recipe for success in the World T20 semi-final against India: key decision-making during pressure situations.
The Proteas face another knock-out situation in an ICC event, and will be keeping it simple in search of the elusive silverware. They are facing an India side that have come good again in recent weeks, with a number of dangerous spinners.
Du Plessis said if past disappointments: "We have felt it a couple of times before that it was our time and that didn't work out. To be honest with you, India is still regarded as favourites.
"We have almost been playing as underdogs; no one really gave us a chance before the tournament. We have been playing really well as a team. We have had different guys performing in each game, so we are not relying on a particular individual.
"It is a high pressure game, it will be important to play the key moments well and to make the right decisions at crucial times, if we do that we will come out on top."
This is the eighth head-to-head T20 International meeting between the two sides, with India winning five out of seven. Du Plessis says the men from the sub-continent remain the favourites because of their past success at major ICC tournaments.
He added: "In these T20 games, it is about how you play on the day. We will enter the game with a fresh mindset. We have had huge success against them before.
"We have been through some tough situations with our resilience and never-say-die attitude getting us through. We're expecting pressure. Every game you play for your country there is pressure. It is all about doing the basics well."
The management will assess the conditions during the semi-final between England and the Proteas Women to determine whether to play a second frontline spinner.
"If there is excessive spin we will definitely look at that option, but if it's a good wicket we will pick up where we left off in Chittagong," he said.
Latest
-
NewsPhil Salt grateful for England backing after starring in big win over Pakistan
The opener had scored just 59 runs in his first five innings on tour but blazed 87 not out to guide England to victory over Pakistan on Friday.
-
NewsPhil Salt powers England to emphatic win over Pakistan as series goes to decider
Opener Salt scored an unbeaten 88 as England won by eight wickets.
-
NewsUnbeaten Babar Azam gives Pakistan shot at wrapping up England series
Babar held court throughout the 20 overs and guided his team to 169 for six.
-
NewsLiam Norwell saves Warwickshire as Yorkshire suffer relegation to Division Two
Norwell’s career-best nine wickets for 62 runs sealed a five-run win over Hampshire on a thrilling final day of the season.
-
NewsDCMS hearing on discrimination in cricket pencilled in for December 13
Azeem Rafiq and Lord Patel are set to be asked to appear.
-
NewsEngland captain Jos Buttler ‘learning lots’ despite not playing in Pakistan
Buttler has a calf injury, which has ruled him out of the T20 series so far, but he insisted on travelling and has been observing throughout the trip.
-
NewsWe’re a better team than that – England’s batting disappoints Moeen Ali
The tourists were unable to make 146 in their Twenty20 chase against Pakistan.
-
NewsMoeen Ali heroics in vain as Pakistan take series lead over England
The tourists failed to chase 146 in Lahore.
-
County CricketWarwickshire up against it to avoid relegation as Yorkshire nervously watch on
The Bears need to beat Hampshire to overhaul Yorkshire.
-
NewsMark Wood stars with his fierce pace as England restrict Pakistan total
Wood returned to the side after a rest and picked up three for 20 in another rousing burst.