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SA high on confidence despite defeat: Smith

DUBAI - South Africa will go into the third one-day international against Pakistan on Tuesday with a lot of confidence, said their skipper Graeme Smith.

The team completed a Twenty20 series victory and won the first one-dayer before going down narrowly in the second match on Sunday.

“I think both teams are on a neutral standing at 1-1 in the series. Out of the four matches in Abu Dhabi we won three, so we still have a lot of confidence.

“Abdul Razzaq played an incredible knock and took the game away from us in the end. It is important for us to re-assess. We have a team briefing later today and a training session tonight which will hopefully stand us in good stead for tomorrow’s (Tuesday) game.”

Smith termed Pakistan as a very dangerous squad. “We know that Pakistan can be an unpredictable team and they can be a very dangerous team. They proved that even in England. They only lost that series 3-2 away from home.

“They have some dangerous cricketers and we need to be at our best and Abdul Razzaq proved that again last night. We are working hard as a team on becoming as versatile as possible and having an open mind to things that are thrown at us and being able to adapt on our feet.”

Regarding the facilities, Smith said: “So far it’s been terrific. We have had a great time and the facilities have been very good, the support that the games have received has also been good.

“We are looking forward to experiencing the stadium in Dubai. The exciting thing for us was the way that we got a little bit of support as well, which was nice. So far we have had a thoroughly good time on this trip and it does help if you play well.

“The facilities at Abu Dhabi Stadium were fantastic and although the ground was a bit far from the city centre, people came to support the teams which was a good thing

He also said he felt for Pakistan fans who have been deprived of watching action in their country because of security fears.

“Obviously, I feel for people in Pakistan who are fanatical about the game of cricket and it’s sad that they are not being able to watch their team and foreign teams play on their home grounds.

“I have good memories of touring Pakistan. I remember that was the period when we had a good run of victories after winning Tests and one-day series in Pakistan. Of course, they are not getting to see their players on their grounds.

“I guess this is the nature of the world, but with cricket played here they have been provided with some entertainment.”