Proteas gained valuable experience despite loss to Pakistan, says Gwavu

THE Proteas’ journey to the 2027 World Cup took a major step forward, despite the visitors falling on the wrong side of 2-1 ODI series reversal to Pakistan, according to stand-in coach Wandile Gwavu.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

The visitors were without virtually their entire first-choice ODI XI in Pakistan for the longer white-ball format due to the upcoming Test series in India. Even head coach Shukri Conrad and batting coach Ashwell Prince were back in Cape Town with Gwavu and bowling coach Piet Botha taking the reins. They oversaw an inexperienced team, captained by Matthew Breetzke, level the series before a batting collapse in the final match allowed Pakistan to take the spoils 2-1.

The Proteas blooded four ODI debutants in Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Donovan Ferreira, Sinethemba Qeshile, who was unfortunately limited to just one game due to a finger injury, and Rubin Hermann during the series.