December 4, 2024: Heinrich Klaasen will lead South Africa in their upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan, starting from December 10, as regular captain Aiden Markram will be occupied with the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka.
Markram, who will play in the second Test starting December 5, has been rested from the T20I series due to the tight schedule between the two formats. Along with Markram, several other key players, including Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Tristan Stubbs, will also miss the T20I series as they are involved in the Test matches.
Despite the absence of these senior players, South Africa’s T20I squad remains strong, featuring a mix of experienced campaigners and exciting newcomers. Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi return to the T20I setup for the first time since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, adding depth to the bowling unit. In addition, all-rounder George Linde makes a return after a three-year absence, having impressed in domestic cricket, particularly in the CSA T20 Challenge. Linde’s form has been exceptional, with 171 runs at a strike rate of 178.12 and nine wickets at an average of 18.33, making him a valuable asset for the team.
South Africa’s white-ball head coach, Rob Walter, expressed confidence in the squad, emphasizing the team’s focus on experience and balance. “All 15 players are capped, and we are looking to build on the experience within the group as we continue to grow as a unit,” Walter said. He also highlighted Klaasen’s leadership qualities, noting his strong understanding of the game, especially after his previous experience as captain in 2021. Walter also praised Linde’s domestic form and emphasized the significance of having Nortje and Shamsi back, noting that their experience would bolster both the pace and spin departments.
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
- Rassie van der Dussen
T20I Series Schedule:
- First T20I: December 10, Durban
- Second T20I: December 13, Centurion
- Third T20I: December 14, Johannesburg
This series will be a significant opportunity for the South African squad to test their mettle against a strong Pakistan side, while Klaasen will look to build on his leadership experience and guide the team to success in Markram’s absence.