Temba Bavuma: Proteas carry no 'baggage' into Champions Trophy

The Proteas open their Champions Trophy campaign against Afghanistan in Karachi on Friday and will look to build confidence within the squad with many first-choice players having arrived in Pakistan.

The Proteas last won an ODI match in October last year when a largely experimental line-up beat Ireland in Abu Dhabi and have since lost four matches in the 50-over for at- one to Ireland, four against Pakistan and one to New Zealand.

Bavuma though is confident that the team can restore confidence and belief in the squad that propelled the Proteas into the 2023 World Cup semi-final.

"It's for us as a group to connect strongly again and to remind ourselves about how we want to play," Bavuma said. "That confidence and knowing comes from how we have performed as a group.

"These guys have all known each other for the past four or five years. There's no baggage coming into this tournament, we are looking forward to playing our best cricket."

Bavuma also said the two defeats against Pakistan and New Zealand last week provided invaluable insight into the conditions ahead of the tournament that kicks off on Wednesday.

The Proteas are aiming to win their first major ICC trophy since their 1998 Champions Trophy victory, which remains their only major ICC title.

Bavuma added: "It was important for us to get a proper understanding of the conditions. We saw how tough it was to get ten wickets, and as bowlers, we've discussed different plans and approaches.

"From a batting perspective, we've also focused on the importance of runs and the scoreboard pressure it creates."

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