South Africa captain Aiden Markram is confident he could also become the first South African captain to win a major ICC title.
The Proteas will be in action tonight at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in what will be their first time in the USA. Aiden Markram’s team will take on 2014 champions Sri Lanka at the Nassau County Stadium in New York. If Markram wants to help his nation lift the World T20 for the first time, he must start the tournament with a win and 2 crucial points.
In the previous edition of the T20 World Cup in Australia, South Africa was eliminated from the group stage when it was under the captaincy of Temba Bavuma. First they achieved consecutive victories over Bangladesh and India after their tie against Zimbabwe was abandoned. But in the last two matches of the group stage, the Africans were defeated by Pakistan and Holland.
What did Aiden Markram say?
While speaking to reporters in New York on the eve of SL Vs SA in T20 WC 2024, Aiden Markram shed light on South Africa’s strategies. To start, Markram stressed the importance of being able to assess the field situation on match day and then being efficient enough to adapt with a hit.
Aiden Markram was probably one of the World Cup players who never thought about playing in New York and said the US edition would be exciting.
“We will have to evaluate the day very quickly and then adapt the plans that will help us do it well. It is an exciting day; we never thought we would play a World Cup match in New York.” – Markram told reporters in New York.
Contrary to the Indian team’s opinion about the training facilities in the US, Markram was more than satisfied with the facilities and called them beautiful. ““It’s a beautiful training facility and then we’ll have a first look at the stadium and the pitch to assess things,” Markram added.
Aiden Markram also spoke about the challenge they will face during the World Cup as they will have to play day and evening matches in the group stage. But difficult situations are known to make players better and that is why players make sure to get up early and follow a routine throughout the World Cup.
“We’re used to playing mainly in the afternoons, but since we got here we have a routine of getting up early and doing things together as a team early in the morning. By now, we’re used to it.”
Markam says he is confident in South Africa’s prospects to win the title
Aiden Markram then expressed his confidence in finally lifting the T20 World Cup in this edition. He admitted that the center knows that if he reaches his best form no team will be able to beat them and for that he has focused a lot on himself.
“I feel quietly confident. We believe that if we find our form and play the best we can, we can beat anyone. We’ve been focusing a lot on ourselves and we’ll see where it takes us. But we’re certainly here to lift the trophy.” – Aiden Markram concluded.
