Nortje, Shamsi Return, Klaasen To Captain SA T20 Squad Against Pakistan
Fast bowler Anrich Nortje and spinner Tabraiz Shamsi have been included in South Africa's T20 squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan, which will start on December 10 for the first time since the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup. Wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen will lead the new South African team after losing the series 3-1 against India. Cricket South Africa (CSA) said that captain Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Tristan Stubbs will not play in the T20 series due to early changes between the two series.
CSA said that they will return for the ODI series against Pakistan to prepare for next year's ICC Champions Trophy. All-rounder George Linde has also been included in the squad, which marks his return to the T20 setup after last playing in July 2021 against Ireland.
The 33-year-old Linde has earned 14 T20 caps and performed impressively in this season's CSA T20 Challenge, scoring 171 runs at a strike rate of 178.12 and taking nine wickets at an average of 18.33. The return of Nortje and Shamsi is a huge deal, as they did not take a central contract and are playing various franchise leagues around the world.
CSA also said that Shamsi's participation in the ongoing Global Super League in Guyana could affect his availability for the first match of the T20 series. Whereas, Matthew Britzke, Kwena Mfaka, and Ryan Rickelton will join South Africa's squad after the second Test against Sri Lanka in Guatemala on December 5-9.
The T20 team will begin preparations with a two-day camp at the Centre of Excellence in Pretoria from December 6-8, followed by Durban, where the first match will be played at the Kingsmead Stadium on December 10, followed by two consecutive matches at SuperSport Park, Centurion, and the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on December 13 and 14.
SOUTH AFRICA T20 SQUAD
Heinrich Klaasen (captain), 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, and Rassie van der Dussen.