Having already beaten the Afghanistan national cricket team, albeit after a late wobble, and the UAE earlier in the tournament, the Proteas now sit firmly in control of their qualification prospects. Their latest triumph was built on a polished all-round display, with both bat and ball firing at crucial moments.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Reflecting on the chase and the conditions, Pollock highlighted the importance of setting the tone early. \u201cIt was a good batting performance, wasn\u2019t it? I think we saw in both innings that the surface was pretty easy at the top of the order to put pressure on the bowling department,\u201d he said, speaking to JioHotstar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He reserved special praise for captain Aiden Markram, who anchored the pursuit of 175 with authority, saying, \u201cBut the way Aiden Markram came out, when you\u2019re chasing 175, you have to set the tone. You have to make your team aware of what\u2019s happening and the kind of damage you can do, and he set that tone brilliantly.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pollock also pointed to the impact made by all-rounder Marco Jansen, whose intervention with the ball proved decisive. Although surprised he did not take the new ball, Pollock acknowledged the tactical value Jansen brought. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI thought Marco Jansen was excellent. I was a little surprised they didn\u2019t open the bowling with him, it didn\u2019t quite make sense to me. But we spoke about his extra bounce and how it might be the tonic to counter the strength at the top of the order for New Zealand, and it proved to be the case,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Jansen broke a threatening opening stand and later removed key batters as New Zealand looked set for a bigger total. \u201cHe broke that partnership up front, picked up the wicket of Seifert, and also got rid of Chapman when Chapman and Mitchell were looking good in that partnership. So, he was very good, and it was no surprise that he got the Player of the Match,\u201d Pollock added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Assessing South Africa\u2019s campaign as a whole, Pollock noted the steady upward trajectory, while cautioning that improvements are still possible. \u201cSouth Africa have hit the ground running and produced some good cricket, particularly in this game. I don\u2019t think they\u2019ll be overly pleased with the way they performed against Afghanistan and how they almost threw that one away.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He emphasised the depth within the squad, even as he identified areas for refinement. \u201cBut they\u2019ve got a good mix. All the batters seem to be in good touch. Brevis could probably do a little more in the middle. Bowling-wise, there are plenty of options. You think about the fact that Nortje hasn\u2019t been introduced yet. Maybe South Africa are just missing a mystery spinner, someone like Varun Chakaravarthy, to add a little spice in the middle overs, like Shamsi used to do.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite not yet being mathematically assured of qualification, Pollock believes progression is only a matter of time. \u201cBut overall, you can\u2019t be unhappy with how South Africa played, and it\u2019s a positive sign moving forward. Mathematically, they still haven\u2019t qualified, but I\u2019d be very surprised if they don\u2019t get over the line and into the top eight.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A pivotal moment in the match came with the dismissal of Mark Chapman, who, alongside Daryl Mitchell, had threatened to take the game away from South Africa. Pollock described that breakthrough as the turning point.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cChapman\u2019s dismissal was a big one because, at that stage, Daryl Mitchell and Chapman were flying. It looked like they were going to post a massive total. Based on our predictive score and the rate they were going at, they were on course for 200. If they had accelerated a little more, it could have looked more like 210 or 220.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A pivotal moment in the match came with the dismissal of Mark Chapman, who, alongside Daryl Mitchell, had threatened to take the game away from South Africa. Pollock described that breakthrough as the turning point.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With three wins from three and momentum building, South Africa\u2019s campaign in Ahmedabad suggests a side peaking at the right time, balanced, adaptable, and increasingly confident as the knockout stages loom.<\/p>\r\n\r\n