While reviewing an exciting upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh, Proteas bowler Keshav Maharaj has sent a special message to the Proteas ladies’ team who are on the brink of making history in the T20 World Cup on Sunday. 

The Proteas men’s team prepares for a testing fist of two five-match test series away to Bangladesh set to take place in Dhaka from Monday. 

The veteran Proteas bowler reflected on a challenging tour to the West Indies where the South Africans managed to clinch a victory in their two-match test series despite suffering a whitewash defeat in their T20 international. 

Maharaj reflected in saying, “I think we can draw a lot of inspiration and confidence from the West Indies series and highlight a lot of positives that we do well. But obviously, we’ve had some time to reflect and work on things that we can get better at.” 

In recent times, the Proteas have found it difficult to perform at their best in the subcontinent region of Asia, barely grinding results against nations like Bangladesh, the West Indies, and Sri Lanka with the influence of weather conditions often coming to play. 

The 34-year-old has emphasized the team’s effort to break the stereotype of negative results in the region, revealing the squad’s efforts to combat the challenging conditions at training. 

“We also want to break the stereotype of being able to win away from home, especially in the subcontinent conditions. I know the guys have been very precise with their practice and finding ways to combat the conditions we potentially could be faced with,” asserted Kesh. 

After an impressive men’s Proteas run in the T20 World Cup earlier in the year, reaching the final and eventually suffering defeat to India, the Proteas ladies have followed suit, reaching a second successive final after defeating six-time champions, Australia in the semi-final.  

The men’s T20 finalist has passed a special message to his female counterparts, directing some words of advice for what will be an intensely nerve-wracking experience for most of the ladies on Sunday. 

“Firstly, the girls have made us immensely proud in the last three years, yet another final, hopefully, we can go the whole way. Just some words of encouragement for them just yourself, be the best version of yourself on the day, execute your skills, and play together. When you’re feeling a little bit of pressure, look to the person next to you and draw inspiration from that,” advised the Durban-born spinner. 

The two series against Bangladesh will be the last of the Proteas tests away from home and will serve as solid ground as they look forward to a thrilling inbound tour where they will welcome India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan during the summer period.