Cricketers of the South Africa national cricket team praised Heinrich Klaasen ahead of the first semi-final match against Afghanistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Young South African pacer Gerald Coetzee stated that bowlers are afraid of bowling against Heinrich Klaasen because of his ability to smash. hits.
South Africa will face Afghanistan in the first semi-final match at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad, on Wednesday, June 26 (local time). The winner of the first semi-final will face either India or England in the summit clash at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados, on Saturday 29 June.
The Proteas cricket team has never reached the final in the history of the T20 World Cup. Team Afghanistan, on the other hand, reached the semi-finals for the first time in an ICC World Cup (both T20 and ODI). Either Afghanistan or South Africa will reach their first T20 World Cup final.
Heinrich Klaasen puts pressure on the bowlers – Kagiso Rabada
In a video shared by the International Cricket Council (ICC), South African cricketers heaped praise on Heinrich Klaasen. Kagiso Rabada highlighted Klaasen’s ability to put players under pressure, while David Miller praised his great self-confidence.
“He puts players under pressure,” Kagiso Rabada said.
“His self-confidence is on point and he exudes confidence,” David Miller said.
People are afraid to bowl Heinrich Klaasen – Gerald Coetzee
Gerald Coetzee mentioned that bowlers are intimidated by Heinrich Klaasen and find it difficult to bowl to him. Keshav Maharaj noted Klaasen’s presence in the box and his ability to anticipate players’ strategies.
“He has a very good presence in the box. People are afraid to bowl to him,” Gerald Coetzee said.
“He’s like one step ahead of the bowler. He’s like reading what the bowler is trying to do, and you know, he hits various lengths that other guys can’t hit,” Keshav Maharaj said.
Heinrich Klaasen plays Spin is simply amazing – Tristan Stubbs
Tabraiz Shamsi highlighted Heinrich Klaasen’s versatility in scoring from both sides of the wicket against spin and bowling. Tristan Stubbs praised Klaasen for taking advantage of missed deliveries by hitting big sixes, especially against spin bowling.
“A lot of times you come across batsmen who are strong but who can, you know, score predominantly on one side. Whether it’s the off side or the leg side. With him, he’s someone who has options on both sides. No. I have a preference, you know, for spin bowling or seam bowling,” Tabraiz Shamsi said.
“I think the bowlers also know if you miss Klaasen… He goes for six. So I think he does it very well, when they miss, he hits it for miles. And the way he plays with spin is just incredible. So luckily he’s on our team,” Tristan Stubbs said.
Heinrich Klaasen has scored 138 runs in seven matches, at an average of 27.60 and a strike rate of 112.20 in the current tournament. In total, the batsman has amassed 860 runs in 50 matches, at an average of 23.24 and an impressive strike rate of 140.52. He has scored four half-centuries with a top score of 81.
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