South Africa announce squad for T20I series against Pakistan; Heinrich Klaasen to lead second-string unit 

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has named a 15-man squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan, starting on December 10. Wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen will lead the Proteas, as most of the first-team players, involved in the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka, are rested.

Some major names that are set to miss the series include skipper Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Tristan Stubbs. There is only a one-day gap between the culmination of the second Test against Sri Lanka, and the commencement of the T20I series against Pakistan.

Heinrich Klaasen has led the South Africa T20I side in the past, with all seven of his appearances as skipper coming against Pakistan. He captained the side home and away across two series in 2021, recording two wins and five defeats.

To counter the absence of key players, Anrich Nortje and Tabraiz Shamsi mark their return to the team. The bowling pair last played in the 2024 T20 World Cup in June, missing the bilateral series against the West Indies and India since then.

Heinrich is a vastly experienced player with a strong understanding and reading of the game. We look forward to utilising him in this role after his previous experiences in 2021. We're pleased to have Anrich and Tabraiz back in the squad. Their wealth of experience and skill significantly bolsters our bowling unit, enhancing both our pace and spin departments, which will be key against a strong Pakistan side," South Africa white-ball head coach Rob Walter said (via Cricket South Africa).

Also returning to the national side, on his birthday, is left-arm spinner George Linde. He comes in as a like-to-like replacement for Keshav Maharaj, after having last played a T20I in July 2021.

A prominent absence comes in the form of pacer Gerald Coetzee. The right-arm bowler, recently picked by the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) Auction is set for a considerable spell on the sidelines due to a groin injury.

South Africa T20I squad for three-match series against Pakistan

Heinrich Klaasen (capt), 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, Rassie van der Dussen

"*Matthew Breetzke, Kwena Maphaka, and Ryan Rickelton will join the squad following their Test commitments against Sri Lanka **Tabraiz Shamsi's participation in the ongoing Global Super League in Guyana may affect his availability for the first T20I," a statement from CSA read

South Africa have been rocky in T20Is lately

The Proteas stitched an incredible unbeaten run to qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup final. However, they have been on a miserable run since then.

South Africa suffered a whitewash against the West Indies, lost to Ireland in the UAE, and recorded a 1-3 series defeat to India at home.