Prolific Proteas batsman AB de Villiers is encouraged by the talent coming through the system as the squad prepares for the first KFC T20 International against Pakistan at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead on Friday.
The squad features a solid mixture of youth and experience, with domestic players receiving the rewards for consistent performances.
“It is a nice way of giving youngsters a chance to perform and to showcase their talent,” he said of the young T20 outfit. “I definitely see why we are doing that, there are so many youngsters that have come through that have won games for their domestic teams on a regular basis.”
Pakistan poses a different threat with the white ball, and will be confident after winning the previous encounter between the two nations at the ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka last year.
Knowledge of the conditions and the exuberant talent in the squad will count in South Africa’s favour, at a venue where they recently thrashed New Zealand by eight wickets.
“I have seen the names in their T20 squad and there are some serious cricketers out there,” said De Villiers. “We are playing in our home conditions so we have some confidence from that but they are a dangerous side.
“They don’t only have world-class players but they have experience as well. They have won World Cups before; they are a really good team and I think they will be a good challenge for us.”
