After a defeat to New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore despite debutant Matthew Breetzke's record-breaking 150, South Africa are set to take on hosts Pakistan in knockout game of tri-nation series at National Stadium, Karachi. South Africa played with an inexperienced side against the Kiwis due to SA20 2025 playoffs. For high-voltage clash against Mohammad Rizwan-led side, few senior players arrived at 2 AM on February 11. Wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen is looking at it as a test for the Proteas to do well in knockout encounters ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
"Tomorrow is obviously a big day for the series. We played Pakistan not too long ago, but obviously Pakistan in their conditions are a different beast, so I'm looking forward to that. We just got together today, basically the boys only arrived at 2 o'clock this morning. For the guys that are new to the squad, we've got to do a little bit of homework, we've got a nice day out to face these conditions and see what it is like," Klaasen said in the pre-match press conference.
"Obviously there's a bigger picture in mind as well. The ICC [Champions] trophy is also in play next week, so it's a good exercise for us. If we can knock them out and play in the final, and the home country is not involved, that will at least put a smile on my face," thee 33-year-old said about the virtual semifinal.
Klaasen's record against Pakistan
Klaasen was exceptional in the ODI series at home against Pakistan scoring three consecutive fifties. From eight ODI innings against Pakistan, he has scored 292 runs at an average of 36.50. His strike rate is 109.36. Klaasen has not played a single ODI in Pakistan. He played a T20I series in Pakistan in 2021 where he did not have the best of experiences.
No Haris Rauf for South Africa clash
Pakistan speedster Haris Rauf has been ruled out of the South Africa clash as he suffered a muscular sprain in his lower chest region during the match against New Zealand. He has been benched as a precautionary measure.
Squads:
South Africa squad: Matthew Breetzke, Temba Bavuma(c), Jason Smith, Kyle Verreynne(w), Wiaan Mulder, Eathan Bosch, Senuran Muthusamy, Mihlali Mpongwana, Junior Dala, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Heinrich Klaasen, Tony de Zorzi, Corbin Bosch, Meeka eel Prince, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Gideon Peters
Pakistan squad: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan(w/c), Salman Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Usman Khan, Mohammad Hasnain, Faheem Ashraf, Saud Shakeel