‘Everybody's really relaxed’ - Tabraiz Shamsi reflects on South Africa’s mindset ahead of T20 World Cup final

South Africa became the first team to reach the summit clash of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 final. The side will take on the winner of the clash between England and India, as every team involved will be desperate to get their hands on the marquee title.  

However, it could be a nervy affair for the Proteas, a side who have been branded as chokers on several occasions in ICC tournaments; however, the case does not seem to be the same this time around. In the same vein, the star Proteas spinner Tabraiz Shamsi came forward to talk about why the side has been branded chokers in the past and revealed that it was because of dependence on one batter or bowler. 

“Everybody's really relaxed, and in this team, no one is given the responsibility to win the game for the team, If you see maybe other teams or the Proteas teams of the past, there was a specific batter that was relied upon. There was a specific bowler that was relied upon. I personally cannot pinpoint which bowler is responsible for making us win or which batter is responsible for making us win,” Shamsi was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

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I don't really look too much into things like that: Markram

Furthermore, South Africa skipper Aiden Markram shared his thoughts on the upcoming World Cup final and called it another game of cricket as ultimately there will only be one winner and a side has to lose for the other to win. However, he did not undermine the self-belief factor that can turnout things for a dressing room mentally.

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"I don't really look too much into things like that, to be honest, It's a game of cricket. Someone has to win, and someone has to lose ultimately. That's the name of the game. You take it in your stride. You do get belief, though, from winning close games and potentially winning games that you thought you weren't going to win. It does a lot for your changing room and the vibe in the changing room. We'll take a little bit of confidence from that and see if we can put it to any use in the final,” Markram said.