Lungi Ngidi praised the Proteas’ ability to read conditions and execute under pressure after their T20 World Cup win against Canada in Ahmedabad on Monday.

South Africa posted 213-4 in their opening match of the tournament – thanks to Aiden Markram (59 off 32 balls), Ryan Rickelton (33 off 21), David Miller (39* off 23) and Tristan Stubbs (34* off 19) – before Ngidi took 4-31 to help restrict the minnows to 156-8.

Ngidi said the Proteas had anticipated a slow surface at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

“It did play the way we thought it would. We had played a series against India before and, with the new ball, it did do quite a bit.”

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He added that early feedback from the batsmen was key to adjusting plans.

“We knew that it was going to be tough up front for the new guys. They came off and told us that it’s still not easy to bat out there if you’re hitting a good line and length.

“And then, obviously, the change-ups were also a bit challenging. But we’ve got world-class finishers, so they were able to do the job.”

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South Africa recovered from a mid-innings wobble to smash 47 off the last three overs.

“You’ve got to absorb the pressure, transfer when you can. And that’s exactly what the guys did,” said Ngidi.

“But I think having them four down after the power play was a massive bonus for us.”

The Proteas’ next assignment is against Afghanistan in Ahmedabad on Wednesday (7:30am SA time).

Photo: @ProteasMenCSA/X