In-form South Africa batter David Miller has been ruled out of the crucial Super 12 clash of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup against Pakistan owing to back spasms.
Heinrich Klaasen has replaced him in the line-up as South Africa look to strengthen their chances of securing a semi-final berth.
The news was confirmed by skipper Temba Bavuma at the toss. Miller has been in sensational form with the bat for South Africa this year. The left-hander has amassed 344 T20I runs in 2022, at an outstanding average and strike-rate of 68.80 and 170.29 respectively.
He also scored an unbeaten 59 recently to guide South Africa to a thrilling win over India. Miller had also scored a century in Guwahati during the T20I series in India ahead of this World Cup.
Miller's absence in this game is a big loss for South Africa as he has performed consistently in a tough middle-order role for a considerable length of time. But the Proteas have an able replacement in Klaasen, who has 651 T20I runs to his name at an excellent strike-rate of 147.61. He has also scored four fifties, including a best of 81 that came against India in Cuttack earlier this year.
South Africa also made another change as wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi was brought into the XI at the expense of left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.
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