New Delhi, Mar 1 (NationPress) The young South African fast bowler, Kwena Maphaka, emphasized that hitting the stumps and maintaining a consistent change of pace were crucial factors in his impressive performance of 2-21 during the team’s five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in their concluding Super Eights match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday.

With key players like Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Keshav Maharaj resting before the upcoming semi-final against New Zealand in Kolkata, Maphaka was called upon to rise to the occasion and he certainly delivered, concluding his four overs with figures of 2-21. Notably, he claimed the important wicket of Zimbabwe's captain, Sikandar Raza, who had been dominating the other bowlers, as Raza skied a catch to David Miller at point during the 17th over.

“Honestly, we anticipated the pitch would play a bit quicker with more bounce. The previous match in Delhi had a skiddier surface. Today’s pitch was lower and slower, so we aimed to adapt quickly—hit the stumps, and frequently change our pace,” he noted while answering questions from IANS in the mixed zone.

This tournament marked only Maphaka's second appearance, yet the teenager has displayed remarkable composure against elite competition—successfully generating movement with both the new and old ball, culminating his spell with a surprising offcutter that Raza was unprepared for.

“This being my first World Cup has been an incredible experience. Learning from all the players and applying those lessons in real matches has made it a fantastic outing today. I hope to maintain this momentum,” he expressed.

One of his key learnings has been mastering the slower ball—a technique that Lungi Ngidi has executed with great success throughout the tournament. “I am definitely picking up insights about slower deliveries from him. Honestly, I don’t believe anyone can bowl a slower ball quite like Lungi. But I have learned several things from him,” he added.

“Learning from experienced players is invaluable. The game has many intricacies, and pace variations are certainly a significant aspect. Understanding when to deploy specific deliveries has been a major focus on this tour,” he remarked.

Although the pace bowling unit, which includes Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, and Anrich Nortje, could appear daunting for a newcomer, Maphaka views it as an incredible opportunity.

“It's a true privilege to converse with these players. They are among the most seasoned in the sport today. This experience has been instrumental in my development, and I am genuinely grateful for this opportunity,” he stated.

The competition for spots in the squad is intense, yet Maphaka assures that the atmosphere remains positive, even for those with limited playing time.

“The dynamic has been great. Although some players haven’t had many opportunities, it’s not overly serious. Everyone is in good spirits. There’s plenty of competition in the nets, and we continue to learn during training. Even during matches, we pick up small insights, so we are in a very good place right now,” he explained.

Apart from matches, there’s an internal rivalry over who can bowl faster, which keeps Maphaka engaged. “There is definitely some competition. Honestly, I believe anyone could win on any given day. Most players can reach 150 if they choose to. It really boils down to who is on form that day,” he said.

Since debuting in international cricket at 18, Maphaka has evolved significantly, following his recognition as Player of the Tournament in the 2024 U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup. Nearly two years later, he reflects on deeper changes beyond just the sport.

“Coming in at 18 and now being almost 20, I feel like a different person regarding my growth. I’ve undergone significant mental growth, along with some physical changes. It’s been a rewarding journey so far,” he shared.

As South Africa heads into the semi-finals as the tournament’s only unbeaten team, a status that has drawn considerable attention, Maphaka seems unfazed.

“Honestly, it’s not that serious. Although India was favored, we just want to play our game. It doesn’t truly matter who we face,” he stated.

“We aim to win that game and hopefully the tournament. We’ll continue to focus on what we’re doing, stay grounded, and keep pushing forward,” Maphaka concluded.