“Tomorrow can be the day they take us forward as a batting unit,” said Proteas Assistant Coach, Enoch Nkwe, at the end of Day 4 of the second Test between South Africa and Pakistan in Rawalpindi. 

After the Proteas bounced back strongly with the ball, reducing Pakistan to 129/6, Pakistani wicket-keeper-batsman, Mohammad Rizwan, scored a brave century to set the Proteas a daunting total of 370. The Proteas then responded with 127/1 at the end of Day 4, with Aiden Markram unbeaten on 59 off 131 balls and Rassie van der Dussen on 48 off 94 balls. 

Nkwe said there was a lot of belief within the camp that South Africa could emerge winners at the end of the Test tomorrow. “We want to win this,” emphasized Nkwe. “When the opportunity is given, we need to make the most of it. We know in the subcontinent, wickets fall in clusters,” explained Nkwe. 

“Every individual understands how important it is for us to chase this down,” said Nkwe. “The wicket has played well. The guys need to apply themselves as well as possible,” continued Nkwe. Conveying that the batting unit has accepted responsibility for their failures through this series, Nkwe is optimistic of seeing a couple of Proteas hundreds tomorrow. 

Nkwe reiterated that the focus of the team management has been to “encourage guys to be themselves, free their minds.” Empowering the two batsmen on the pitch to make their own decisions on how they wish to approach a bowler, Nkwe said, “In small little windows, we have to transfer the pressure and see how they (Pakistan) respond.”   

Nkwe is aware that Pakistan will be hunting aggressively for wickets on Day 5. “They’re going to come out looking for wickets. We just need to make sure we’re ready for that challenge,” cautioned Nkwe. With partnerships key to chasing down 370, Nkwe remains confident, “we can get over the line.” 

Pakistani wicket-keeper-batsman, Mohammad Rizwan, was unflustered by the partnership between Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen. Confident of the quality of Pakistan’s bowlers, Rizwan said, “We have good bowlers. As soon as we break this partnership, we’ll get them.”