South Africa will be gunning to get their bid for a first international trophy back on track when they take on Afghanistan Sunday after a dramatic last-over loss to England.
The Proteas are desperate to shed their chokers’ tag but on Friday they showed scant evidence of the mettle required to win a major tournament as England successfully chased their imposing total.
South Africa looked in the driving seat after posting 229-4 but slack bowling and a commanding 83 by Joe Root helped England set the record for the highest run-chase in World Twenty20 history.
Faf du Plessis’s side gave away 26 extras, while fast bowler Dale Steyn conceded 23 runs in just the second over, as Eoin Morgan’s England reached 230-8 with only two balls to spare at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
‘Probably the difference in the game was us conceding too many extras,’ opening batsman Hashim Amla told reporters on Saturday, urging the Proteas’ bowlers to bounce back from Friday’s disappointment.
‘We have a quality bowling attack and I firmly believe they would be really hurt as a team not executing as well as they would have liked.
‘Hopefully in the next games and the games to follow we can correct that,’ added Amla, who top-scored for South Africa against England with a 58.
-With New Age input
