Former South Africa cricketer Imran Tahir was very emotional after the Proteas exited the ICC World Cup 2023 after their 3-wicket defeat to Australia in the second semi-final in Kolkata.
Temba Bavuma, South African captain had won the toss and decided to bat first despite overcast conditions and the threat of rain. But Australia reduced Proteas to 22/4 in no time and only a 47 from Heinrich Klaasen and 101 from David Miller pushed them to 212 runs.
In response, the Proteas spinners Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi troubled the Australian batters, but in the end, the score proved to be too small to defend as the five-time champions won by 3 wickets in the end.
Imran Tahir couldn't suppress his emotions as he reserved an explosive rant at the side's performance. He criticised Bavuma's decision-making as captain and stated that the South Africans treated the occasion like a match in a bilateral series.
“It is all about mindset. If you are going out on the field, are you going as a warrior? You are persisting with a bowler who's bowling 90mph (Coetzee), but you didn't keep a slip for him. Then, you concede a four from slips when they need 25 runs to win. As a captain, and even as senior players, you should know such things,” Tahir said on Star Sports.
He said that the team had support from 54 million South Africans and even said that he would fight for the team if given a chance to play once more even at his age.
“This is a big game, not a normal, bilateral match. Youngsters don't realize what more this bunch could've done. Sure, a South African team will eventually reach a final. Youngsters will come. We believed in this team, and they won't be the first heroes to reach the final. If you keep squandering such chances... today, the ground was full. There are 54 million South Africans who were behind you. Personally, I'm very disappointed. Give me a South Africa kit right now, I'm ready to fight even at this age,” said Tahir further.
This was the third time a South African team faced a defeat to Australia in the World Cup semi-finals after 1999 and 2007.
