PAK vs SA 3rd ODI: Heinrich Klaasen Among Five Players Available For South Africa in Crucial Contest of Tri-Series

Heinrich Klaasen is among five players available for South Africa in their crucial contest of the triangular ODI series in Pakistan against the hosts, scheduled to take place at the National Stadium in Karachi on Wednesday (February 12).

Having missed their first match of the Tri-Series against New Zealand on Monday (February 10), Klaasen joined the Proteas camp ahead of the second match alongside the likes of Keshav Maharaj, Tony de Zorzi, Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka, providing a much needed boost to the team.

Temba Bavuma-led South Africa's suffered a six-wicket thrashing in their campaign opener against New Zealand despite posting a target of 305, which was possible through a huge stand from Matthew Breetzke (150 off 148 balls) and Wiaan Mulder (64 off 60 balls).

South Africa featured an inexperienced squad in their first outing in the Tri-Series as Breetzke made his debut in the format alongside Eathan Bosch, Mihlali Mpongwana and Senuran Muthusamy. The team also featured only four members - Bavuma, Mulder, Tabraiz Shamsi and Lungi Ngidi - of South Africa's Champions Trophy squad.

Now four more players included in the Champions Trophy have joined the squad with the remaining set to link up for the tournament due to their involvement in the recently concluded SA20 2025. Klaasen aims at knocking out Pakistan to gain momentum before the ICC event.

"Tomorrow is obviously a big day for the series. We played Pakistan not too long ago, but obviously Pakistan in their conditions are a different beast, so I'm looking forward to that," said Klaasen during the pre-match press conference.

"We just got together today, basically the boys only arrived at 2 o'clock this morning. For the guys that are new to the squad, we've got to do a little bit of homework, we've got a nice day out to face these conditions and see what it is like.

"Obviously there's a bigger picture in mind as well. The ICC [Champions] trophy is also in play next week, so it's a good exercise for us. If we can knock them out and play in the final, and the home country is not involved, that will at least put a smile on my face."

Winner of the Pakistan vs South Africa match will face New Zealand, who have won two in two so far in the triangular series, in the final on Friday (February 14) at the same venue in Karachi. Here is a look at South Africa's squad for the remaining two matches:

South Africa Squad For Tri-Series in Pakistan

Temba Bavuma (captain), Eathan Bosch, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Junior Dala, Tony de Zorzi, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder, Mihlali Mpongwana, Senuran Muthusamy, Gideon Peters, Lungi Ngidi, Meeka-eel Prince, Tabraiz Shamsi, Jason Smith, Kyle Verreynne.