Watch VideoTabraiz Shamsi: IPL experience key as Proteas face West Indies in T20 World Cup Super 8

Tabraiz Shamsi believes the Proteas’ IPL pedigree will be the “X-factor” as they take on the West Indies in a massive Super Eights clash on Thursday. Photo: Backpagepix South Africaspinner Tabraiz Shamsi painted a vivid picture on Tuesday of just what it is like representing your country in a World Cup in India, citing that it comes with pressure, one that he believes the current Proteas squad for the ongoingICC Men’s T20 World Cuphave the experience to navigate. South Africa are currently bracing for their second Super 8 fixture, an encounter against theWest Indiesin Ahmedabad on Thursday.

The Proteas are yet to confirm a spot in the semi-finals; however, a victory against the Caribbean outfit will almost guarantee their qualification. Shamsi, having played in multiple World Cups, has an acute understanding of what the current crop of Proteas players are experiencing. The leading wicket-taker in T20Is for South Africa (89 wickets in 70 matches), who is not in India with the team, believes the squad has the maturity to manage the stakes and emerge victorious against the Windies.

“I’m sure a lot of our guys are used to it (the pressure) because most of them have played a number of years of IPL cricket. I think that has helped bridge the gap,” Shamsi said. “There’s a lot riding on it when you’re representing your country.

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Besides the fact that you’re representing your nation, you’re also representing a lot of people who have sacrificed a lot for you to be there. “Our family members, who were there before the cameras and everything else, are part of that. So, I think that’s pressure as well — a personal pressure in the sense that you want to make the people proud who helped you get there.” Shamsi also praised South Africa for beating India in dominant fashion this past Sunday.

“I think what the boys pulled off, I mean, was the biggest challenge of the World Cup so far for us. They were playing against an Indian team that hadn’t lost over two World Cups,” he said. “They were undefeated, we were undefeated as well, and we lost in the final (in 2024) against them.

So, 90 000 plus people cheering against you, sometimes it can get you going … You can just see those guys are motivated to do something special.” The fixture between South Africa and the West Indies is scheduled to start at 11.30am on Thursday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

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