Proteas confident of a T20I comeback
JANNEMAN Malan believes the Proteas can bounce back in the second T20I against Pakistan today.
The visitors fielded an inexperienced unit in the first match in Lahore, but pushed Pakistan all the way to the last ball before going down by three runs.
Malan, who struck a blitzkrieg 44 in the failed run chase, knows they will need to raise their game if the Proteas are to avoid losing their fourth successive T20 series.
"When you play at this level against Pakistan, there will always be pressure. But it is a good opportunity to bounce back hard. We have that ability. One game and then the momentum can change into the final game. So it is an opportunity to show fight and come back strong,” Malan said yesterday.
“I think it [First T20I] was a competitive game. We came closer at the end. We were happy to have that as a chasing score but just couldn’t get there in the end. Hopefully next time we can get there."
Malan showed that South Africa do possess young players with immense talent during his 29-ball stay at the crease.
He blasted eight fours and a six, with four consecutive boundaries coming off seamer Haris Rauf.
However, the introduction of spin halted Malan's charge with leg-spinner Usman Qadir bamboozling him with a googly. Qadir then picked up debutant Jacques Snyman a few balls later and that halted the momentum of the Proteas' innings.
"It was quite a challenge to face from the start and then we tried to capitalise against the seam. I think they adapted well in the middle to just change the game to make it more difficult for us," he said.
"It didn’t skid on, as expected, against the spinners. I just tried to back my strength against the seam. I
think there is room for improvement (in facing spin). We will think about it and come up with better plans."
Proteas captain Heinrich Klaasen concurred that the middle period of South Africa's innings was costly and that they will need to improve in the second match.
"Definitely‚ four runs for two wickets didn’t help in the middle phase‚” Klaasen said‚ referring to the dismissals of Malan and Snyman.
“They put us on the back foot especially chasing a score of 170. I thought they were about 10 runs short and I was quite pleased with their score.
“But in that situation‚ I thought we went four overs for 20 runs and two wickets down and that put us under pressure massively. So‚ hopefully in the next game we can raise the intensity in the middle phase and we can go over the line.”
SPANISH Formula One driver Fernando Alonso underwent an operation for a fractured jaw and will remain under observation for the next two days following a road accident while cycling in Switzerland, his Alpine team said yesterday.
The 39-year-old double world champion, who was involved in the accident on Thursday, is due to make his Formula One comeback this season after two years out of the sport.
"Following his cycling accident yesterday Fernando Alonso was kept under observation in hospital in Switzerland," a team statement said.
"Medics discovered a fracture in his upper jaw and conducted a successful corrective operation. The attending medical team are satisfied with his progress.
"Fernando will remain under observation in hospital for a further 48 hours."
Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper reported on Thursday that the Spaniard, a keen cycling fan, had been hit by a car while training on his bike near his home in Lugano.
Alpine, formerly known as Renault and renamed after the French manufacturer's sportscar brand, said they expected Alonso "to be fully operational to undertake preparation for the season".
The Formula One championship is due to begin in Bahrain on March 28, with pre-season testing in the Gulf kingdom from March 12-14.
Alonso, who took his titles with Renault in 2005 and 2006 and has won 32 grands prix, last raced in Formula One with McLaren in 2018.