Heinrich Klaasen and Tristan Stubbs were absent from South Africa’s lineup for their Champions Trophy match against Afghanistan in Karachi on Friday. Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed that Klaasen was ruled out as a precaution due to a left elbow soft tissue injury. Stubbs, however, was unlikely to feature in the first-choice XI.
Despite Klaasen’s absence, South Africa fielded a strong batting lineup. Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi opened, followed by Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, and David Miller in the middle order. Allrounders Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen provided depth at seven and eight.
Klaasen’s absence was significant, given his red-hot ODI form. In his last four ODIs, all against Pakistan, he scored 86 off 97, 97 off 74, 81 off 43, and 87 off 56. His overall ODI record is impressive, with 2,074 runs in 54 innings at an average of 44.12 and a strike rate of 117.44.
His ability to dominate spin makes him particularly valuable in subcontinent conditions. Since 2020, Klaasen has scored at a strike rate of 125.31 against spinners, averaging 57 runs per dismissal. Among 97 batters who have faced 500-plus deliveries of spin in this period, his strike rate is the highest, ahead of Rohit Sharma’s 111.59.
Against Afghanistan, South Africa expected to face at least 20 overs of spin, with Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, and Mohammad Nabi in the attack. Klaasen’s return will be crucial ahead of their next game against Australia on February 25 in Rawalpindi.
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