Unbeaten South Africa face 'fresh start' in semi-final: Markram / Photo: © AFP
-
Taiwan gender-row boxer Lin Yu-ting wins 'monumental' Asian Games gold
-
'We're losing our scientists': west Africa's STEM struggle
-
Taiwan receives its first US-made F-16V fighter jets
-
World powers gather in Pacific to chart climate battle
-
Lula, Bolsonaro trade scandal fire in final scramble for votes
-
Return of swarming moth spectacle has Australia in a flutter
-
Not-so-brave new world: virtual taekwondo makes Asian Games debut
-
Browns snuff out Rodgers fightback to beat Steelers 27-24
-
Arab Israeli candidate drops out of election race
-
Braves power past Phillies to set up Dodgers showdown
-
Israel courts Europe's far right, finding friends but also unease
-
Asian stocks drop as oil spike fans rate hike bets, eyes on US jobs
-
Lula, Bolsonaro both snub final debate before Brazil election
-
Viral anti-vax posts weaponise Philippine inoculation fears
-
Nepal's grim DNA puzzle to identify flood dead
-
Saudi coalition accuses Houthis of drone attack on Medina
-
EU nations to hold emergency meeting on soaring diesel prices amid US pressure
-
Effective Altruism: the philosophy behind Silicon Valley's AI fears
-
Anthropic's Dario Amodei: AI's most visible CEO and enigma
-
Chinese judoka accused of biting as home hope wins Asian Games gold
-
OpenAI says three staffers fired for mishandling 'sensitive' info
-
Four-member crew docks at International Space Station
-
Nike plans job cuts as it forecasts lower sales
-
Portugal win without Ronaldo as Klopp's Germany get first victory
-
Ireland game interrupted twice by Gaza protests
-
Wemby: 'Very sad' to see players endorse betting firms
-
Judge denies acquittal bid by US woman who killed her kids
-
Manchester City Women scrape draw with Real Madrid
-
Klopp averts crisis with first win as Germany boss
-
India, Australia and Pakistan in same World Cup group
-
A saintly spat and debate snub: Brazil enters final campaign stretch
-
Daryz's hopes of repeat Arc win boosted by draw
-
US tells European allies to act 'immediately' to lower diesel prices
-
Steelers ship disgruntled defender Porter to Cowboys
-
G20 trade ministers fail to see consensus against overproduction
-
Klopp gets first win as Germany boss
-
Portugal edge Denmark in Ronaldo's absence
-
Bolivia's attorney general arrested on drugs, money laundering charges
-
US stocks edge higher as bond yields retreat for now
-
Raiders host Chiefs in battle of unbeaten division rivals
-
US tells European allies to 'immediately' act to lower diesel prices
-
Lowest Fee Bitcoin ATMs Announces Launch of More Than 400 ATMs Nationwide
-
Trump vows to hit Iran 'very hard' if linked to flydubai attack
-
G20 against 'weaponization' of food trade: French minister
-
Williams leaves Spain camp with thigh knock
-
Female US inmate in critical condition after botched execution
-
WTA reduces 2027 schedule for world's top 50
-
Spotlight on UK-UAE ties amid Manchester City scandal
-
US says 'in Europe's best interest' to cooperate on fuel supply
-
Ethiopia and Eritrea break diplomatic ties over conflict
Unbeaten South Africa face 'fresh start' in semi-final: Markram
South Africa captain Aiden Markram on Tuesday said his team's win over New Zealand in the group phase will count for nothing in the T20 World Cup semi-final, which will be a "completely fresh start".
The two teams clash at Kolkata's Eden Gardens in the first semi-final on Wednesday, with both having never lifted a cricket World Cup.
South Africa are the only unbeaten side in the last four and are trying to rid themselves of a reputation for choking in the final stages at World Cups.
They have been the team to beat in this edition and got the better of New Zealand by seven wickets in a group game in Ahmedabad on February 15.
"We had a good run against them in the group stages, but both teams have played a lot of cricket since then," Markram told reporters.
"It's a completely fresh start tomorrow and it being a semi-final which is exciting as well.
"I don't think it's as straightforward as just being able to repeat that. We'll try to bring our best game to the front again."
South Africa suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against India in Barbados, when they needed 30 off 30 balls with six wickets and lost by seven runs after a clatter of wickets.
South Africa beat India and the West Indies in the Super Eights to have many marking them down as the favourites to lift the trophy.
"With regards to being favourites or not, that's all different people's opinions," said Markram.
"Us as a team really just try to focus on putting good games of cricket together and playing that exciting brand that we've been trying to play for the last 18 months or so.
Markram has led South Africa from the front with 268 runs including three half-centuries and a top score of 86 not out in seven matches.
He holds an impressive captaincy record of 15 wins in 16 T20 World Cup matches with the only defeat in the 2024 final.
"The senior guys in the team, we lean on them a lot. They help guide you and lead you when you have a few doubts," said Markram.
"I think because of that and a really strong group of players over the years, we've developed that. Fortunately it reflects well, but it's definitely a reflection on the group as a whole."
G.Frei--VB