T20 World Cup final a hunger game for Proteas: Markram

South Africa’s captain, Aiden Markram, expresses that his team is fueled by a strong desire to win as they aim for their first T20 World Cup title against India on Saturday. Prior to their recent victory over Afghanistan, the Proteas had faced seven defeats in World Cup semi-finals across both T20 and 50-over formats, marking their first appearance in a championship final.

Markram emphasized that despite past setbacks, his team has demonstrated throughout the tournament, where they have remained unbeaten, a resolute determination to succeed. He described it as not merely desperation but a keen hunger to win matches.

Reflecting on their journey, Markram acknowledged that previous disappointments have served as motivation rather than discouragement. He highlighted the team’s mental strength showcased in their narrow victories over Bangladesh, Nepal, and England, emphasizing their ability to perform under pressure.

South Africa’s success has been a collective effort, with Quinton de Kock leading the batting charts with 204 runs and David Miller contributing 148 runs. Their bowlers, including Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, and Tabraiz Shamsi, have also shared the workload with double-figure wicket tallies.

Despite the satisfaction of reaching the final, Markram stressed that the team remains focused and driven to clinch victory on Saturday. He underscored the competitive spirit within the squad, emphasizing their determination not to settle for anything less than a win in the final match.