Faf calls it 'exceptional'
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis lauded his players following the 2-0 series win over Bangladesh. Describing the victory as 'exceptional' the captain believed that the victory was a good omen for the ICC World Twenty 20, which is due to take place in India next year.
"I think we played exceptionally well once again. On a tough wicket we got 170, which was probably around 15 runs over par score. Bangladesh played better… but we had all the answers from a bowling point of view.
"They had batted incredibly against Pakistan and India so their confidence would have been sky-high. It was important for us as a team to try and put an end to that confidence and we did it as a team," he added.
The key to the series victory, according to the skipper, was adjusting to the slow and low conditions.
"You need different skills at different times and I think that was probably the difference between the two teams. Our skills were on display when it came to not hitting boundaries, hitting it in the gap, rotating the strike, taking twos and threes; I thought we did better than them.
"Whereas they obviously tried to hit boundaries and in these conditions, it's not always as easy. You have to graft a little bit; put the bowlers under pressure and then hit a boundary. You need to earn the right to get to that stage where you can get the power hitters in," explained du Plessis.
Du Plessis also credited the IPL for the team's good performance.
"IPL is probably the biggest reason for South Africans to play so well in subcontinent conditions. South African cricketers are generally consistent in the IPL so we take a lot of confidence when we play at Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka," said du Plessis.
South Africa debutant Eddie Leie was adjudged player-of-the-match yesterday for his three-wicket haul. The jubilant leg-spinner was happy with his 'exciting' start to international cricket.
"I tried to keep it simple; just bowl wicket to wicket. Bangladesh had started well so I had to keep them from taking runs. The turn obviously encouraged me as well," he added.
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