Sports Desk
2 June
Sandeep Dhand
Journalist and Research Analysist
Heinrich Klaasen has decided to step away from international cricket to focus on his career in T20 franchise leagues. The wicketkeeper-batter, who will turn 34 next month, made his last appearance for his country during the Champions Trophy semi-final against New Zealand in March.
Over a seven-year international career, Klaasen played 4 Test matches, 60 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 58 T20 Internationals. He became especially known for his explosive batting in white-ball formats. One of his most memorable innings was a powerful 174 off 83 balls against Australia in Centurion. He also played a key role in South Africa’s strong runs in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup. His quickfire 52 in the final of the T20 World Cup was a turning point in the match.
Klaasen had already retired from Test cricket earlier in 2024 and was not offered a central contract by the cricket board in April. This made his full retirement more likely. With several international matches scheduled in the coming months, many of which clash with major T20 leagues like the MLC, the Hundred, and the CPL, Klaasen has chosen to focus on his league career.
He said the decision was very difficult, but he now feels at peace and is looking forward to spending more time with his family. His playing style and contributions will be remembered by fans, especially his ability to change a game in just a few overs.
As he moves on from the international stage, he remains one of the most in-demand players in T20 leagues worldwide and will continue his cricket journey there.