Heinrich Klaasen To Lead SA In T20I Series vs Pakistan

Veteran Wicket-Keeper batter Heinrich Klaasen will be leading the T20I side of South Africa against Pakistan as the regular skipper Aiden Markram is currently involved in a 2-match test rubber against Sri Lanka.

There is a very short turnaround between the 2nd test & the first of the 3 T20Is, the second test match at the Gqeberha ends on December 9th, provided the match goes on till day 5. The T20I series commences from the very next day (December 10th) at Durban. The South Africans are set to miss the services of Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Tristan Stubbs & Kagiso Rabada for this 3-match T20I series against Pakistan. However, the premium quartet of South Africa will be back for the ODI series that starts on December 17th.

However, the likes of Ryan Rickelton, Matthew Bretzke & Kwena Maphaka will be linking up with the T20I team at Durban after the completion of the 2nd test against Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, South Africa gets a major boost ahead of the T20I series as a premier seamer Anrich Nortje & Tabraiz Shamsi make their return to the T20I squad. Both these players last played for the Proteas in the Men's T20 World Cup in June this year.

Meanwhile, George Linde who last represented the rainbow nation in a T20I was back in 2021. He too, gets his reward through a callup due to his exploits in the CSA T20 Challenge where he racked up 171 runs at a Strike rate of 178.12 & also picked up 9 wickets at an average of 18.33.

Shami's Availability for the first T20I is still in doubt as he is currently playing for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the ongoing Global T20 Super League.

Head coach Rob Walter talked up the experience and balance that South Africa has struck with the 15-man squad for the T20I series.

Rob Walter On South African Squad vs Pakistan

"All players in this squad are capped, something that is very important for us as we continue to grow as a team", Walter said. George has been provided an opportunity again as he had a great domestic campaign, a great batter, and an equally good spinning all-rounder who certainly makes our squad look more balanced".

"We are also happy to welcome back our two senior pros Anrich Nortje & Tabraiz Shamsi who'll be playing a vital role for us in the seam & spin department against a very stronger Pakistani side," Walter concluded.

After the opening match in Durban, the next two T20Is will be played on December 13 and 14 in Centurion and Johannesburg respectively.

South Africa T20I Squad: Heinrich Klaasen (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Andile Simelane and Rassie van der Dussen

South Africa vs Pakistan T20I Schedule

1st T20- South Africa vs Pakistan (December 10th)- Durban 9:30 PM IST
2nd T20- South Africa vs Pakistan (December 13th)- Centurion 9:30 PM IST
3rd T20- South Africa vs Pakistan (December 14th)- Johannesburg 9:30 PM IST