On Wednesday the Proteas will face New Zealand in the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy in Lahore. In 2024, the Proteas reached the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup which was staged in the USA and the West Indies.

The 1998 champions, the Proteas, have crushed Afghanistan and England during their Group B fixtures, while the Black Caps lost to India in Dubai on Sunday.

Marco Jansen. Photo: Cricinfo

The Proteas recently flew to Dubai for the possibility of having to play against India in the UAE, only to fly back to Pakistan. All of India’s games are staged in Dubai due to their refusal to play in Pakistan.

While for the Proteas it was an inconvenience, it is something South Africa planned for, and they don’t see it as too much of an interruption at all. New Zealand also had to fly from Dubai to Pakistan, but this was following their Group A game against India, and this would have taken more of a toll on the team from the Land of the Long White Cloud.

The in-form Proteas wicketkeeper, Heinrich Klaasen, said the only way to reach the final is through performing on the day, and it doesn’t matter whether they had to play in Dubai or Lahore.

“We definitely used our 18 hours not to really watch cricket – I know that some of the coaching staff did,” said Klaasen.

“Look, to win this tournament, you’re going to have to beat two very good teams. Whether it’s in Pakistan or Dubai, the conditions are quite different. The conditions in Pakistan are quite nice to bat on, so the bowlers will have a little bit of a harder job to do. But the same in Dubai – the wicket is just slower, but you still have to play good cricket.

“So regardless of where we wanted to play, you still need to go beat two good teams. If we beat New Zealand and India beats Australia, we still have to go beat India there. Or if Australia beats them, you still have to beat a good Australian team to win the trophy.

George Linde. Photo: Morgan Piek

“Regardless where you play around the world, you just have to play good cricket.”

Meanwhile, the Protas will make a call on the availability of the batter Aiden Markram on Tuesday. Markram picked up a hamstring niggle during the game against England on Saturday, and it is believed that the Western Province and Proteas spinning allrounder, George Linde, is en route to answer the SOS call.

On Tuesday at 11:00, India will face Australia in Dubai in the first semi-final, while on Wednesday at 11:00 South Africa will take on New Zealand in Lahore.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg