"People are scared to bowl to him" - South African cricketers hail Heinrich Klaasen ahead of semifinal vs Afghanistan
Published - 26 Jun 2024, 05:19 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:14 AM
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The South Africa National Cricket Team cricketers lauded Heinrich Klaasen ahead of the first semi-final encounter against Afghanistan in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Young South African pacer Gerald Coetzee stated that bowlers are scared to bowl against Heinrich Klaasen due to his ability to smash hits.
South Africa will take on 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 take on either India or England in the summit clash at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados, on Saturday, June 29.
The Proteas cricket team has never reached the final match in the history of T20 World Cups. The Afghanistan team, on the other hand, reached the semifinals for the first time in ICC World Cups (both T20s and ODIs). Either Afghanistan or South Africa will reach their first-ever final match in T20 World Cups.
Heinrich Klaasen Puts Bowlers Under Pressure - Kagiso Rabada
In a video shared by the International Cricket Council (ICC), South African cricketers praised Heinrich Klaasen. Kagiso Rabada highlighted Klaasen's ability to pressure bowlers, while David Miller praised his strong self-belief and confidence.
"He puts bowlers under pressure," Kagiso Rabada said.
"His self-belief is right up there, and he oozes with confidence," David Miller stated.
People Are Scared To Bowl Heinrich Klaasen - Gerald Coetzee
Gerald Coetzee mentioned that bowlers are intimidated by Heinrich Klaasen and find it challenging to bowl to him. Keshav Maharaj noted Klaasen's presence at the crease and his ability to anticipate bowlers' strategies.
"He's got a really good presence at the crease. People are scared to bowl to him," said Gerald Coetzee.
"He's like one step ahead of the bowler. He's sort of reading what the bowler is trying to do, and you know, he hits various lengths that other guys aren't able to hit it," Keshav Maharaj said.
Heinrich Klaasen Plays Spin Is Just Incredible - Tristan Stubbs
Tabraiz Shamsi emphasized Heinrich Klaasen's versatility in scoring on both sides of the wicket against spin and seam bowling. Tristan Stubbs commended Klaasen for capitalizing on missed deliveries by hitting them for big sixes, especially against spin bowling.
"Often times you come across, batters that are strong but they can, you know, score predominantly on one side. Either on the off side or the leg side. With him, he's somebody that has options on both sides. He doesn't have a preference, you know, for spin or seam bowling," Tabraiz Shamsi said.
"I think bowlers are also know if you miss to Klaasen... He's going for six. So I think he does that really well when they do miss he hits it miles. And the way he plays spin is just incredible. So thankfully, he's in 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 ongoing tournament. Overall, the batter has amassed 860 runs in 50 matches at an average of 23.24 and an impressive strike rate of 140.52. He has smashed four half-centuries with a highest score of 81.
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Heinrich Klaasen South Africa National Cricket Team ICC T20 World Cup 2024 ICC T20 World Cup
