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Australia's legendary batter Ricky Ponting has cautioned New Zealand of explosive in-form batter Heinrich Klaasen ahead of their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal. The pitch at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore is not too threatening for the batters and Klaasen has been in superb form of late registering five fifty-plus scores in consecutive ODIs. Ponting reckons South Africa's batting lineup is strong, especially their middle order. he went on to say that there are two-three players in South Africa that can take down New Zealand bowling.
"He's (Klaasen) very important because he is such a dangerous player of spin bowling. He's such a great, clean hitter of spin. He is important to the middle order but South Africa bat deep like India. And, with a world-class all-rounder like Marco Jansen and obviously Aiden Markram, (Temba) Bavuma, David Miller... their batting is really strong. That middle order," Ponting said on the ICC review on March 4.
"I think Klaasen has been the No.1 T20 batter for long and if he brings that sort of stuff to the 50-over game... If he goes in around the 30-over mark and South Africa are 2-3 down, then he can be truly dangerous."
Key match-up to decide semifinal's fate
However, Ponting believes the only threat to Klaasen is New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner. He went on to say that this key battle will decide who reaches the Champions Trophy final.
"Klaasen is good against spin but Santner is an outstanding left-arm spinner, very smart. And, I think, the fact that he is a left-armer bowling to a right hander, they (New Zealand) might probably start with spin against Klaasen.
"And, maybe, whoever wins that battle might determine the outcome of the game," the 50-year-old opined.
Ponting sees South Africa qualifying for final
Ponting has backed South Africa to reach the final of Champions Trophy for the first time since 1998. In the inaugural edition, they beat West Indies in the final to win the title.
"If I look at both the sides, I think there's that little bit more class in the South African line-up. They bat deep. I think they might have a little bit too much power for New Zealand," the legendary batter said.
"I'm actually going with South Africa (to win the contest) as much as I've praised New Zealand," he added.
New Zealand vs South Africa Champions Trophy head-to-head
South Africa and New Zealand have gone up against each other twice in Champions Trophy history. New Zealand beat South Africa by 87 runs in the 2006 edition. Three years later, South Africa beat New Zealand at home by five wickets comprehensively.
