Swashbuckling batter Heinrich Klaasen wants South Africa to knock out hosts Pakistan in the last ODI Tri-series match in Karachi on Wednesday to get a fillip in their Champions Trophy campaign later next week.
South Africa have only won one ICC event when they clinched the Knock-out event in Bangladesh in 1998 before their luck ran out in not only men's global events but also in women's competitions.
While the South Africa men's team was outsmarted by India in the final of last year's Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies, their Eves lost to New Zealand in the women's event in Dubai, also late last year.
While South Africa men's team were outsmarted by India in the final of last year's Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies, their Eves lost to New Zealand in the women's event in Dubai, also late last year.
In the eight-nation Champions Trophy South Africa are tipped to reach the last four and if luck doesn't desert them or in the most famous words they do not CHOKE they can go on and win the title.
New Zealand have already reached the final with a 78-run win over Pakistan and a six-wicket triumph over South Africa -- both matches played in Lahore.
Obviously it would be great to win against Pakistan. Pakistan has played some good cricket. We need to play good cricket. Here is the bigger picture in ICC. It is a good exercise for us so if we can knock them down and play the final to give us the Champions Trophy boost.
Klaasen was at his aggressive best in the series against Pakistan back home in December, hitting 86, 97 and 81 but all was in vain as South Africa suffered their first-ever home ODI whitewash of 3-0.
I can't speak for the people of Pakistan but we have been here in Covid times so it's not foreign to us to be here. We have got enough knowledge of Tests and T20Is, so something new for us. The boys played yesterday. Its a nice place to play again. It is something we are not used to. We look forward to the next game and obviously to the ICC Champions Trophy.
South Africa are without their seven top players as Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, and Rassie van der Dussen are not part of this tri-series.
Look, we are in a unique situation coming into this tour and a lot of guys got the opportunity to play. They played all right. Tomorrow is obviously a big game. We played Pakistan not too long ago. Pakistan in their conditions are different beasts so I'm looking forward to it.
Klaasen praised the new talent, opener Mathew Breetzke who set a new record of highest score on ODI debut with 150.
We saw quality batting from a youngster and they played against New Zealand who are in form as well.
"Not to go too hard and control myself and make sure that I spend some time at the crease and make sure that I am there at the back end of the innings."
South Africa are in Group B of the Champions Trophy with England, Australia and Afghanistan. India, hosts and defending champions Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand comprise Group A.
The tournament runs from February 19 to March 9 with India playing its matches in the UAE and the rest of the teams will play in Pakistan.
