Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter pleads for patience after T20I loss to Ireland

The Proteas lost the second T20I against the Irish in Abu Dhabi by 10 runs with the teams each winning one match apiece in the short format series.

It has been tough tour to the UAE for the Proteas as Walter has now seen his charges lose a first-ever ODI series against Afghanistan before the T20I loss to Ireland.

The Proteas mentor said after the game: "We need to see where guys stand, also for them to get an insight into what they need to work on.

"We didn't achieve the results we were hoping to, but we came up against some stiff opposition, too. Some of our young cricketers played good cricket, learned a lot, and hopefully the learnings will now turn into performance.

"It hurts to lose. We're a proud team and we know we play for a proud nation. You want to win every game, and we're trying to do that. 

"We should have won the series against Ireland, but we didn't. We're trying to piece the puzzle pieces together and improve our performances as a unit."

Ryan Rickelton and Mathew Breetzke both scored their maiden international half-centuries across the two matches while opener Reeza Hendricks made a welcome return to form with the bat.

Walter added: "We have to keep looking for positives. It's important everyone understands the journey we're on as a team. We must be patient, but we must also be harder in some instances and expect more.

"We'll continue to endevour to be better."

The Proteas continue their tour in the UAE and will now prepare to take on Ireland in three ODIs in Abu Dhabi starting on Wednesday.

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