'Kaam Galat Bhi Karo to Clarity ke Saath': Why Pakistan Legends Are Praising SA Despite World Cup Exit

South Africa couldn’t make it to the World Cup 2023 final but left a deep impact with the way they played throughout the tournament. They made it to the knockouts as the second-best team but faltered against Australia in the semi-finals on Thursday night. Lesser runs on the board hurt them as the five-time champions successfully chased down the target of 212 with 3 wickets and 16 balls to spare.

People mocked the Proteas on social media, calling them ‘chokers’. But actually, the South Africans didn’t choke but played poor cricket. Had they scored more than 250, it would have been their day.

Follow all the action from the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 including the World Cup schedule, World Cup 2023 results, and ICC Cricket World Cup points table. Players are vying to top the World Cup 2023 Most Runs and World Cup 2023 Most Wickets charts. 

But now their focus shifts to the forthcoming T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and the US next year for which they’ll begin preparing with the series against India at home followed by the second edition of the SA20.

Former Pakistan captain Misbah ul Haq believes that the South African side has a bright future ahead, given the number of quality players they boast. Speaking on A Sports show ‘The Pavilion’, Misbah said the Proteas will enter next year’s T20 World Cup as the favourites.

“South Africa has a good future ahead. They will be heading to the T20 World Cup in 6 months. And the way they played in this tournament, just imagine who will they fair with such a dangerous unit,” Misbah said.

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram praised the South African team management for having clarity which enables them to come up with better plans. Speaking on the show, Akram revealed that Cricket South Africa will send a B Team to New Zealand for the Test series as most regular players will be playing in the SA20.

“They won’t take international cricket seriously as most of their frontline players will feature in the SA20 while a B Team will travel to New Zealand for a Test series. At least, they have a clarity of what is the way forward,” Akram said.

“Kaam Galat bhi karna hai to clarity ke saath karo (Even if you are doing something wrong, do it with clarity),” he added.

Adding to the discussion, Shoaib Malik recalled an anecdote from 2019. Malik and Imran Tahir were playing together in the Caribbean Premier League, which was 6 months before the World Cup in England. Malik was surprised to see Tahir training with the new and asked him if he was preparing to bowl with the new ball in the game the next day.

In reply, Tahir said, “My captain, Faf du Plessis has asked me to train me with the new ball as we are going to face England in the World Cup at this venue. Since Jason Roy is struggling against leg-spin, he wants me to trouble him right in the first over.”