South Africa Battle-Hardened for T20 World Cup Knockout Rounds

South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen believes the team's hard-fought victories in the early stages of the T20 World Cup 2024 have prepared them for the tournament's crucial knockout rounds.

In the group stage, South Africa narrowly defeated Sri Lanka and the Netherlands in tense run chases before successfully defending low scores of 113 and 115 against Bangladesh and Nepal, respectively. Their 18-run victory over the USA in Antigua was their most convincing performance to date, but it remained a close contest.

Klaasen, who contributed an unbeaten 36 off 22 deliveries, expressed his satisfaction with the opportunity to play on a "proper wicket" after facing challenging batting conditions in the tournament's early stages. He acknowledged that the batters needed to improve their execution, particularly in the death overs.

Despite the team's struggles, Klaasen praised the bowlers for their exceptional performances in the five matches played so far. He emphasized the importance of adapting to different conditions and finding ways to win even when the odds are against them.

Looking ahead to their match against England in St. Lucia, Klaasen acknowledged the high-scoring nature of the games played there. He expressed confidence in the team's ability to handle pressure situations and execute their game plans effectively.

Klaasen also highlighted the importance of playing big moments better than their opponents, recognizing the match-winning potential of the English side. He expressed optimism about South Africa's chances of securing a semi-final berth with another victory.

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