South African cricketer David Miller, on Wednesday, while reflecting on the inexperienced side that will face Pakistan in the three-match T20I series said that they don't want to be hiding away by saying they are just building for the future.
With the likes of some key players like Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Anrich Nortje, returning home after the recently concluded Test series against Pakistan.
The wicket-keeper batsman, Heinrich Klaasen, has been given the responsibility to lead the South African side, with uncapped seamer Okuhle Cele, wicketkeeper Ryan Rickleton and batsman Jacques Snyman all included in the squad.
Of the South Africa Test squad that arrived in Pakistan in the middle of January, only George Linde, Dwaine Pretorius, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Lutho Sipamla have stayed on for the T20Is.
David Miller, who is the most experienced player in the proteas side that will take Pakistan in the T20I series, while praising the Pakistan Cricket Team as one of the strongest said that he doesn't see any reason why his side can't compete against Pakistan.
"We know we're up against a really strong Pakistan team. We do respect that. At the same time, in T20 cricket if you prep well and you've got a great team, there are opportunities to still lose. I don't see why we can't compete against one of the stronger teams." David Miller said.
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David Miller further talked about the inexperienced South African side and said that it's a great opportunity for guys to step up.
"It's a really refreshing group of guys; it was always going to be. Yes, we're going to come under quite a lot of pressure in the games, we would assume. But it's a great opportunity for guys to step up. We know we're representing the Proteas, regardless of whether you're playing your first game or your 100th game, ” he said.
Miller further said that they are here to win and added that they don't want to be hiding away by saying they are just building.
"We've come with the mindset of competing in every department. We don't want to be hiding away by saying we're just building. We're actually here to win. I think we're very capable of doing that if we just stick to what the guys have done in domestic cricket and traveling around the world to play in T20 competitions,” said David Miller.
Miller said the team is training for the intensity of the upcoming matches. He believes if the team can manage the pressure situations they can well win the series as well.
"The guys have been around the block in domestic cricket for many years; they know their games. Cricket is played the same way at all different levels. The only difference is the intensity. That's been brought to the guys' attention in preparation this week.
"They need to know that everything is faster but the game remains the same. The guys know their strengths and weaknesses, and if they can gather their thoughts under pressure I don't see why we can't go away with a victory in this series,” he concluded.
(CricBuzz Inputs)
