Heinrich Klaasen named South Africa captain for Pakistan T20Is
Cricket South Africa announce 18-man squad for three-match series
Photo: AFP
South Africa wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen will lead the Proteas in the three-match T20I series against Pakistan which gets underway on February 11 in Lahore.
The 18-man squad includes only four of the 21 players currently in Pakistan for two Test matches, all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius, left-arm spin bowlers Tabraiz Shamsi and George Linde as well as fast bowler Lutho Sipamla.
The bulk of the Test squad will return to South Africa after the Pakistan Tests end on February 8 in order to undergo a Covid-19 quarantine period and to prepare for a planned home series against Australia.
CSA director of cricket, Graeme Smith, said the selection reflected the difficulty of fulfilling obligations in times of the coronavirus.
Related: South Africa announce 21-member squad for Pakistan Tests
“We have had to do a bit of outside-of-the-box thinking to ensure that we are fully prepared for a home Test tour against Australia, while having an exciting T20 series in Pakistan,” he said.
Smith said plans for managing the coaching and support staff for the competing series were being finalised.
Related: South Africa team arrive in Karachi for Test, T20I series
“It’s an example of the measures that some cricket nations will have to put in place to ensure that they can squeeze more than one tour in a period of three or four months, while fulfilling Covid-19 protocol obligations,” said Smith.
Batsmen Ryan Rickleton and Jacques Snyman and fast bowlers Okhule Cele and Nandre Burger have been called up to a national squad for the first time, while fast bowler Glenton Stuurman, who missed a recent Test series against Sri Lanka because of injury, gets another opportunity to win a first international cap.
A statement from CSA said travel plans would be announced later. The Test squad had to use a chartered flight after their commercial flights were cancelled a day before departure.
The three matches will all be played in Lahore, on February 11, 13 and 14.
South Africa squad
Heinrich Klaasen (captain), Nandre Burger, Okuhle Cele, Junior Dala, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Janneman Malan, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Ryan Rickleton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lutho Sipamla, Jon-Jon Smuts, Jacques Snyman, Glenton Stuurman, Pite van Biljon.
