South Africa Unveils T20I Squad for Pakistan Tour

• South Africa’s T20I Squad Announced for Pakistan Series.
• Heinrich Klaasen was confirmed as captain for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan.
• Regular skipper Aiden Markram is currently in the Test series against Sri Lanka.

South Africa has confirmed Heinrich Klaasen as captain for the upcoming T20I series against Pakistan, as regular skipper Aiden Markram is currently engaged in the Test series against Sri Lanka. The three-match series is scheduled to take place from December 10 to 14.

Several key players, including Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Tristan Stubbs, will miss the T20Is due to their involvement in the ongoing Test series. However, they are expected to return for the ODI series against Pakistan in early 2025 as part of preparations for the Champions Trophy.

The T20I squad sees the return of Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi, making their first appearances since the T20 World Cup in June. All-rounder George Linde also rejoins the squad after a stellar domestic season, where he scored 171 runs at a strike rate of 178.12 and took nine wickets at an average of 18.33 in the CSA T20 Challenge.

White-ball head coach Rob Walter expressed confidence in Klaasen’s leadership, stating, “Heinrich is a vastly experienced player with a strong understanding of the game. We look forward to utilising him in this role after his earlier experiences in 2021.”

Walter also praised Linde’s inclusion, citing his domestic performance and value as a spinning all-rounder. On Nortje and Shamsi’s return, he remarked, “Their experience significantly enhances our bowling unit, crucial against a strong Pakistan side.”

The team will begin preparations with a two-day camp at the Centre of Excellence in Pretoria from December 6 to 8, before traveling to Durban for the first match on December 10, followed by games in Centurion on December 13 and Johannesburg on December 14.

South Africa T20I Squad: 
Heinrich Klaasen (c), 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.

Matthew Breetzke, Kwena Maphaka, and Ryan Rickelton will join after completing their Test commitments, while Tabraiz Shamsi’s participation in the first match depends on his availability from the Global Super League in Guyana.

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