Klassen to lead the Proteas in T20 series against Pakistan

By Ayanda Nyuswa

Proteas batter Heinrich Klassen will captain the Proteas Men’s team in the upcoming KFC T20 International series against Pakistan that will take place between 10-14 December. Klassen will lead the side in the absence of Aiden Markram who is currently involved in South Africa’s test series against Sri Lanka. 

Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter announced his final squad for the series on Wednesday, which will see the returns of fast bowler Anrich Nortje and spinner Tabraiz Shamsi in the T20 side, for the first time since the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. All-rounder George Linde has also been named in the squad, making his return to the T20 set-up for the first time since featuring against Ireland in July 2022. 

Apart from Aiden Markram, the T20 squad will be missing a number of players who are involved in the Sri Lankan test series, including Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and Tristan Stubbs, due to the short turnaround between the two series’. However, they will feature in the three-match ODI series between 17-22 December. 

Full 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 .