Power plays keep Proteas' on track

MUCH more of this and South Africans may start to believe that the Proteas can go on to win a first-ever ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

Aiden Markram's men weren't even at their clinical best - dropping four catches in the field - but yet still thrashed the only other previously unbeaten team, West Indies, in the competition by nine wickets with 23 balls to spare in Ahmedabad yesterday.

The victory over India was monumental, but this was brutal, and in the process cemented the Proteas' place at the summit of Group 1. Their place in the semifinals was also confirmed after India's 72-run victory over Zimbabwe. Having fallen, however, at the final hurdle two years ago in Barbados, Markram - who struck a match-winning 82 not out - does not want to look too far ahead.

"The guys have a lot of pride and are really on a mission to try and achieve something," Markram said, in the post-match briefing.

"It is seriously cutthroat. It's a high level of cricket, obviously, the intensity and the amount of energy that drains you each game is quite high. You need to stay on your toes ...