New Delhi, Feb 18 (NationPress) South Africa's captain Aiden Markram commended his bowlers following their impressive six-wicket victory against the United Arab Emirates in the T20 World Cup, emphasizing how well the bowling attack implemented their strategies on a challenging pitch.

In the overcast conditions at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, South Africa successfully limited the UAE to 122/6 before finishing the chase in just 13.2 overs.

"That was the essence of our performance. It was fantastic to see the players who came in and seized their chance after working hard for it. I believe our bowling unit was exceptional in executing their plans on that wicket. This gives us a lot of confidence as a team, knowing that every member of the squad is in a good place," Markram reflected post-match.

"The conditions here in New Delhi are somewhat different. With the rain and unpredictable weather, the pitch behaved a bit differently today. It was slightly tacky at the start, likely due to it being a morning game. Compared to Ahmedabad, there was perhaps a bit less bounce, but it was beneficial to have a run in such conditions, as we will return here, and I’m confident the team will remember what strategies worked and what to avoid," he added.

Markram acknowledged the team's fielding performance, admitting they dropped four catches, which was subpar. He stated, "We fell short in the field today, and it definitely wasn’t up to our standards. The coach will address this, which is essential. We must remain mentally sharp and not let our guard down, and I believe the boys will step up in Ahmedabad."

When asked about entering the Super Eights undefeated, Markram expressed, "Fortunately, we have some time before our first Super 8 match, which allows the boys to relax briefly and then regroup. Returning to Ahmedabad won’t feel too strange since we’ve spent considerable time there during this tournament. It’s about honing in on what worked for us and leveraging our strengths moving forward."

Bowlers’ standout performer, Corbin Bosch, who took 3-12, shared his straightforward approach: "Today was about keeping things simple. The wicket dictated our strategy. We had some movement early on, and our communication as bowlers was excellent, making my job easier. I learned a lot by observing the batters and formulating plans based on that. The first few deliveries can be nerve-wracking, but once you settle in, it gets easier."

"With yesterday's training session being productive, we had a good idea of how the wicket would behave. The rain this morning also aided our seamers," Bosch noted. "I kept my approach basic today, and having Aiden as a captain helped maintain my composure. He encouraged me to deliver my best ball when it counted, and today I kept it uncomplicated. Reaching 100 T20 wickets is incredible, and I’m proud, but there’s much more to achieve."

UAE captain Muhammad Waseem recognized his team's struggles during the middle overs. "Our batting team faced a tough challenge. We need to perform better, especially from the 6th to 16th over. We are currently learning from these tournaments and the senior players. We must improve our performance in both the middle overs and the closing stages as a bowling unit," he stated.

Waseem reflected on his team's journey, saying, "I’m proud of how the boys played throughout the tournament. Standout performances from Sohaib, Aryansh Sharma, and Alishan were commendable. I believe that as we move forward, one or two more players will step up. We are grateful to the crowd for their support, even if they are disappointed with the results, and we appreciate their encouragement," he concluded.