Former New Zealand pacer-turned-commentator Simon Doull has made a unique comparison between hard-hitting South Africa batter Heinrich Klaasen and the third-highest ODI run-scorer of all time, Virat Kohli. Doull believes Klaasen is at par with Kohli when it comes to ODI cricket despite their different approaches and style of play. Doull hailed Klaasen's ability to dominate the spinners and called him 'an absolute gem'.
"It's hard to separate him and Virat Kohli at the moment. Some people have Klaasen at 1, some people have Kohli at 1, it doesn't really matter. They can be first equal for mine, because he is just an absolute gem, whether it be spin, I don't think anybody hits the spinners off the backfoot better. He waits for that sort of slow pace and he can hit downtown better than anyone in the world," Doull told Sky Sports.
Kohli overcomes struggles to score century
While Kohli has had his struggles against spin of late in ODI cricket, Klaasen makes the middle overs county by going after them. In the clash against Pakistan, Kohli was cautious against their speciallist spinner Abrar Ahmed who go much purchase from the spin-friendly Dubai pitch. However, he dominated the left-arm spinner Khushdil Shah and went on to score his 51st ODI century. In the previous game against New Zealand, his innings was cut-short by an excellent catch from Glenn Phillips at point.
Klaasen in fine form
Klaasen missed the clash against Afghanistan. It was a precautionary move from the team management. Before that he scored a 56-ball 87 against Pakistan in a losing cause in tri-series. He carried forward his form in Champions Trophy as well scoring 64 off 56 balls in the successful run chase against England. He was eventually dismissed by leg-spinner Adil Rashid.
Klaasen has played 59 ODIs so far. He has scored 2,138 runs from 55 innings at an average of 44.54, including four centuries and 11 half-centuries. His strike rate is highly impressive at 117.34.
Doull on South Africa
Doull anticipates a good contest in the second semifinal between New Zealand and South Africa. However, Doull has expressed his concerns around New Zealand's death bowling considering the pitch in Lahore is batter-friendly compared to that of Dubai where they did well against India
"So they (South Africa) are a cracking looking side, they bat deep. New Zealand bat deep, and it'll come down; who bowls better? And South Africa just seemed like they've got the wood as a genuine bowling attack. The issue with New Zealand, the one and only issue has been their death bowling. It was quite good against India, but on a flat surface, on a really good batting surface, will it be the same?" he added.
The second semifinal will be played at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on March 5.