Rob Walter: Tri-series was not a training exercise

South Africa arrived early in the subcontinent ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, and faced New Zealand and hosts Pakistan in preparation One-Day Internationals.

READ: Pakistan chase record ODI total as lacklustre Proteas bowlers exposed again

However, despite putting up strong batting performances with a make-shift team that saw at least seven absentees from their CT squad, the Proteas failed to beat either of their two rivals and Walters insisted they came out with the intention to try and win.

"I think there are a number of things we would have taken out of the game, certainly it wasn't a practice match, that's for sure – we're competing as South Africa and a proud Proteas team," said Walter.

"So it was always our intention to compete and win, unfortunately that didn't happen, but on the back side of that is the opportunity that was created for some younger players.

"There was some great time in the middle for guys who will move on to Champions Trophy, so it's definitely not a training exercise, we're much prouder than that as a cricket nation."

The flat pitches in Karachi and Lahore saw the Proteas twice surpass the 300-run mark, but didn't offer anything for the pace and spin bowlers, who took a collective total of eight wickets across the two matches.

Walter noted they will need to explore other avenues in their quest to curtail opposition batters.

"Certainly the batters will take a lot of heart from the performances they've put in over the last two games, and as a bowling unit, we'll be working hard to understand how we can create more pressure," he added.

"Ultimately it's to force the batters into having to take some risks, and maybe that's the way to getting some wickets, but both teams really struggled to take wickets, so it wasn't unique to us. So the method [of taking wickets] moving forward will be the important part."

The Proteas, who have lost eight of their last 11 ODIs since September last year, will open their Champions Trophy group stage campaign against Afghanistan in Karachi next Friday, 21 February, at 11:00 (SA time).

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