Proteas’ inexperience shows as Pakistan seal T20 series but Conrad sees growth ahead of World Cup

South Africa’s young T20 side learnt some harsh lessons in Lahore on Saturday night as Pakistan completed a 2-1 comeback series win with a four-wicket victory in the decider — exposing the Proteas’ inexperience but also, coach Shukri Conrad believes, helping to paint a clearer picture for next year’s T20 World Cup.

A largely experimental South African side had won the series opener in Rawalpindi convincingly before coming undone in back-to-back matches in Lahore on Friday and Saturday night.

“It was rather disappointing, especially going 1-0 up and then coming to Lahore and not getting out the blocks,” Conrad admitted during Saturday’s post-match media conference.

“We found ourselves in trouble every PowerPlay with the bat, and when you’re posting 110 or 140, you’re not going to win many games. The inexperience really showed, to a large degree, but that is no excuse.”

The Proteas’ top order again folded under the lights at the Gaddafi Stadium, their innings repeatedly derailed in the first six overs. Pakistan’s seamers, who had struggled earlier in the series, found their rhythm and exploited the conditions expertly. South Africa’s bowlers struggled to apply similar pressure bowling second as the dew began to settle.

Conrad refused to hide behind the conditions.

“We were out-bowled and out-batted in these conditions,” he said. “Their experienced players stood up when it mattered, and that was the telling difference between the two sides.

“In the Test series, we got better as it went on. In the T20 series, it looked like we regressed. Winning a toss along the way would have helped, but that’s no excuse. I think the inexperience on our side and the experience on their side was the telling difference. The skill set of their bowlers on these wickets is a lot better, and I think that was also a massive difference.

“There were no partnerships for us and we didn’t get out the blocks. Both PowerPlays we were two or three down, and you’re not going to win too many games from there.”

The Proteas coach was quick to highlight the bright spots, however, including the form of all-rounder Corbin Bosch, who impressed with both bat and ball throughout the series.

“Donovan Ferreira played really nicely as stand-in skipper, and Corbin Bosch has been a revelation on this tour,” Conrad said. “You can see how he’s grown over the last 18 months to two years.

“Dewalt Brevis remains a bit of an enigma. He’s going to break your heart at times, but he’s also going to win you the odd game.”

While the series defeat hurt, Conrad maintained that the exposure gained in Pakistan’s testing conditions will serve the team well in the months ahead.

“We’re slowly starting to get the shape for our next T20 series in India, and then the World Cup follows closely after that,” he said. “So after this series, we’re a lot closer to what our World Cup squad will look like.”

The Proteas have the opportunity to avenge the T20 series defeat with victory in the ODI series in Faisalabad, which starts on Tuesday.