AFTER a poor run with Durban's Super Giants, proteas batter Heinrich Klaasen is looking to spend some extended time on the crease in Pakistan. Sportzpics
Proteas batter Heinrich Klaasen said the Proteas will be at work before their game against Pakistan, trying to unpack some of their bowling strategies before the game on Wednesday.
Klaasen arrived in Pakistan early Tuesday morning, ahead of their match against the host nation for a spot in the final of the Tri-Nations series. New Zealand ran through both (they've also played Pakistan) teams and booked an early seat to the final.
Klaasen praised the young Proteas side that lost by six wickets to the Kiwis on Monday, saying they put up a brave fight against an in-form New Zealand side.
In his debut ODI performance for the Proteas, Matthew Breetzke put up a staggering 150 runs and broke the world record for most runs scored on the format’s debut.
Breetzke and Klaasen also recently played together for Durban’s Super Giants in the SA20 league.
Their fellow Durban team mate, Wiaan Mulder, also contributed 64 from 60 balls against NZ.
“We are in a unique situation coming into this tour so a lot of us had an opportunity yesterday and we played well and New Zealand had the pace against Pakistan a couple days ago so I think we will be alright,”said Klaasen.
“For a very young team we did well. Tomorrow (Thursday) is definitely a big game for this series. We played Pakistan not too long ago so we were looking forward to that.
“I didn’t watch much of the game because we only arrived yesterday but from what I did watch, we played some really good cricket.
“We played a young side against a New Zealand side that has been in good form and did well so I think if the players can take that momentum into the Pakistan game it will go well.”
Pakistan, over the years, have been renowned for churning out some of the world’s best fast bowlers. This was even highlighted in a recent Netflix documentary about the rivalry between India and Pakistan’s cricket teams.
Klaasen said conditions in Pakistan are unlike anywhere in the world and that the team was going to put in the homework before tomorrow’s match.
Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi are some of the fast bowlers the Proteas will have to face on Thursday and in the upcoming Champions Trophy.
“The intent comes naturally so I don't have to prepare myself too much. I don’t like to go too hard too early and make sure that I spend enough time at the crease and make sure that I am there for the innings.
“With regards to facing their bowlers, like I said, it's Pakistan in Pakistan which is different to anywhere else in the world so you have to prepare for some of their bowlers.
“They obviously have big names. Luckily we’ve got fantastic managers. We can do a little bit of homework. We have a couple of training sessions today so we can find out what different balls they will bowl to us in this competition,” Klaasen explained.
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