Heinrich Klaasen retires from international cricket to focus on T20 leagues

South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has announced his retirement from international cricket to prioritise his career in global T20 leagues

Hyderabad: South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has announced his retirement from international cricket to prioritise his career in global T20 leagues.

Known for his explosive strokeplay and consistency in white-ball formats, Klaasen has been a key middle-order force for both South Africa and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. He scored his second IPL century during the 2025 season.

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Klaasen’s international career spanned from 2019 to 2025. He featured in four Tests, scoring 104 runs; 60 ODIs, in which he amassed 2,141 runs including four centuries and 11 fifties; and 58 T20Is, where he scored 1,000 runs with five fifties.

The 33-year-old last represented South Africa in the Champions Trophy semifinal defeat against New Zealand in Lahore in March 2025 — marking the end of a seven-year international career.

Klaasen made his most significant impact in white-ball cricket, where his aggressive batting made him one of the most dangerous middle-order hitters. He retires with one of the highest career strike rates in ODI cricket.