New Delhi: When most of the South African batters found it hard to stay on the crease and convert their good starts into big innings, Heinrich Klaasen stood tall for the hosts with a blazing knock in the opening ODI against Pakistan at the Boland Park, Paarl.

Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton started off the proceedings well for the hosts with an opening wicket partnership of 70 runs after the Proteas opted to bat first.

After Zorzi and Rickelton played fine little knocks of 33 and 36 runs, South Africa’s innings started to derail as they lost as many as 4 wickets in a matter of just 18 runs. Pakistan bowler Salman Agha proved to be the destructor as he was successful in sending all the four batters back to the pavilion, which paved way for Heinrich Klaasen to come on to the crease. Klaasen exhibited class as he stood firm against the quality attack of Pakistan.

Klaasen’s quality stands with Markram, Jansen

The powerful Proteas batter, after quick four blows, joined hands with Aiden Markram first and then Marco Jansen to rescue his side out of danger. Klaasen first stitched more than 70-run stand with skipper Markram, who got out after contributing 35 runs and then joined hands with Jansen for a half-century stand.

Klaasen played a patient knock getting to his seventh ODI half-century in 68 deliveries. The experienced Proteas batter did not hurry up but instead played a knock filled with quality and composure to get his team out of danger. Unfortunately, the talented South African batter could not complete his century and got out for 86 runs off 97 deliveries. Klaasen smashed 7 boundaries and two sixes enroute his remarkable knock.

Meanwhile, South Africa ended their innings at 239/9 in the stipulated 50 overs after opting to bat first. After Klaasen’s dismissal, the remaining batters could not do much as they were able to accumulate just 21 runs.