South Africa now 'looking foward' to tight matches after sealing T20 World Cup semi-final place
![Tabraiz Shamsi and Aiden Markram celebration](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.planetsport.com%2Fimage-library%2Fland%2F700%2F1557957_tabraiz-shamsi-and-aiden-markram-celebration16.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Tabraiz Shamsi feels South Africa are now "looking forward" to tight matches after qualifying for the T20 World Cup semi-final following a thrilling win against hosts West Indies.
The Proteas recorded a three-wicket victory in a must-win contest in Antigua that went down to the last over in a match that was also interrupted by rain.
South Africa, historically, do not have a good record when the pressure is ramped up at ICC global tournaments, going home when victory was within their grasp.
The current T20 World Cup however has seen the Proteas win seven out of seven games that all went down to the wire, with Aiden Markram's charges holding their nerve to seal victory every time even when it seemed a lost cause.
Shamsi, who was named player of the match against the Windies after figures of 3-27 in his four overs, said the squad know they can handle the pressure of the big moments in matches.
The left-arm spinner told reporters: "Most of the games have been a lot closer than we would have personally liked, but the amazing thing is that this new Proteas team always seems to get over the line.
"We've been put under huge pressure, basically in every single game we've played, and the boys have managed to find a way to win, no matter what the situation is and how close the game is.
"So that's really pleasing for us as a unit, and it's sort of like in a funny way, we're looking forward to it."
Shamsi came into the starting XI for the Windies clash, replacing seamer Ottneil Baartman, and was part of a three-man spin attack that included skipper Markram and Keshav Maharaj.
The three slow bowers combined to bowl 12 overs, taking five wickets while only going for 79 runs to slow the tide of the home side's big hitters and kept the total to a below-par 135-8.
The Proteas' reliance on spin meant that premier fast bowler Kagiso Rabada only came into the attack in the 18th over to finish off the innings.
"If you look at the squad, there isn't any individual you can pick and say this guy is responsible for making this team win," Shamsi said.
"There's no pressure on any one individual. We have a lot of match-winners in the squad and on each day someone finds a way to pull the game towards the team.
"So we all know we have the ability to win the games but there's no pressure on any individual to do it, otherwise we're in trouble."