February 19, 2025: South Africa’s left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has expressed confidence in his team’s bowling attack as they prepare for the challenges posed by Pakistan’s batting-friendly conditions during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Maharaj acknowledged the favorable surfaces in Pakistan, which have been notorious for generating high-scoring matches, but he assured that South Africa’s bowlers would rise to the occasion.
Pakistan has been home to the highest ODI batting average since 2021, with five out of eight total scores surpassing 300 in the recent ODI tri-series. The conditions have naturally favored batters, but Maharaj emphasized that his fellow bowlers were up for the test. He stated that while the South African batters were comfortable with the conditions, they fully understood the process and the effort required to score big.
“They’re quite happy with the conditions, but they understand that it’s not just rock up and score runs. It’s still a process and method. When wickets are in your favor, you train that much harder because you want to make the most of the opportunity you’re presented with,” Maharaj explained.
The 34-year-old spinner also clarified that despite the batter-friendly conditions, there was no sense of complacency in the South African squad. The players are preparing for the Afghanistan match with full focus and intensity.
While batting conditions in Pakistan may be more conducive to runs, Maharaj stressed that this also presents a chance for the South African bowlers to showcase their skills. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to see the class within our bowling line-up stand up and defend these scores,” Maharaj added. He pointed out that in modern-day cricket, a total of 320 runs was often par for the course, both when batting first and in chasing down totals.
From the bowlers’ perspective, Maharaj anticipates that his team will need to work diligently to keep the scoring under control. He believes that South Africa’s pacers will lead the attack, with himself playing a more containing role. “In order to get success, it’s about building pressure and just limiting the boundary balls in between,” he said, explaining his approach.
While the conditions in Pakistan will likely favor batting, Maharaj remains optimistic that the South African bowlers, through tactical planning and discipline, will be able to restrict the opposition and set themselves up for success in the tournament. He also mentioned that he would adapt his field settings to better suit the conditions, likely opting for a more defensive field with fewer slips.
Maharaj’s calm and measured approach reflects the broader South African mindset: despite the challenges presented by batting-friendly pitches, they are confident in their ability to compete and defend big scores in the Champions Trophy.