IPL 2026: Klaasen finds joy in steadying the boat at SRH without fussing over strike-rates Heinrich Klaasen’s 39-ball 59 ensured that Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) maintained the momentum through the middle overs after Abhishek Sharma’s blistering start against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Even as wickets fell at regular intervals around him, the South African held firm, guiding the side to its highest Indian Premier League (IPL) total against CSK.
While runs have continued to flow from his bat, his strike rate has drawn scrutiny. This season, he has scored at 144.39 – significantly lower than his previous highs of over 170.
Notably, he has also been among the slowest starters, striking at 106.66 in his first 10 deliveries.
Earlier this month, Klaasen admitted he needed to improve his scoring rate. However, after steering SRH to a narrow 10-run win on Saturday, he emphasised that his priority was navigating difficult situations rather than focusing on strike rate.
ALSO READ | Chief selector Ajit Agarkar set to get an extension till 2027
“I have been coming in at situations where we have lost four wickets in one or two overs. So I cannot go right from the start. I need to get the job done. In difficult situations, you have to take responsibility and be mature,” he explained.
“We get paid to do the job, and I don’t care about strike rate. I know there has been a lot said about it this season, but I have been putting the team in good positions, and I am just doing my job,” he said.
“The wicket was good enough. We lost too many wickets up front, and we needed to get to that 220 mark. I thought CSK bowled extremely well at the back, and that’s why we didn’t get there.”
Klaasen also noted that the early loss of wickets led to Liam Livingstone being introduced as the Impact Player, even if it meant the likes of Nitish Kumar had to complete their full quota.
“Nitish has been bowling brilliantly. That gives us the luxury to make brave decisions like that. We know that the wicket is not going to spin a lot, so we didn’t mind him bowling the couple of overs that he did.”
Published on Apr 19, 2026
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Heinrich Klaasen’s 39-ball 59 ensured that Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) maintained the momentum through the middle overs after Abhishek Sharma’s blistering start against Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
Even as wickets fell at regular intervals around him, the South African held firm, guiding the side to its highest Indian Premier League (IPL) total against CSK.
While runs have continued to flow from his bat, his strike rate has drawn scrutiny. This season, he has scored at 144.39 – significantly lower than his previous highs of over 170.
Notably, he has also been among the slowest starters, striking at 106.66 in his first 10 deliveries.
Earlier this month, Klaasen admitted he needed to improve his scoring rate. However, after steering SRH to a narrow 10-run win on Saturday, he emphasised that his priority was navigating difficult situations rather than focusing on strike rate.
ALSO READ | Chief selector Ajit Agarkar set to get an extension till 2027
“I have been coming in at situations where we have lost four wickets in one or two overs. So I cannot go right from the start. I need to get the job done. In difficult situations, you have to take responsibility and be mature,” he explained.
“We get paid to do the job, and I don’t care about strike rate. I know there has been a lot said about it this season, but I have been putting the team in good positions, and I am just doing my job,” he said.
“The wicket was good enough. We lost too many wickets up front, and we needed to get to that 220 mark. I thought CSK bowled extremely well at the back, and that’s why we didn’t get there.”
Klaasen also noted that the early loss of wickets led to Liam Livingstone being introduced as the Impact Player, even if it meant the likes of Nitish Kumar had to complete their full quota.
“Nitish has been bowling brilliantly. That gives us the luxury to make brave decisions like that. We know that the wicket is not going to spin a lot, so we didn’t mind him bowling the couple of overs that he did.”
Published on Apr 19, 2026
![No contract was signed with Muzarabani for PSL stint, but verbal agreement was reached: PCB The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) admitted that no contract was ever sent to Blessing Muzarabani to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) but insisted that a firm verbal agreement was reached with the Zimbabwe pacer and he had breached the trust while joining the Indian Premier League (IPL).The PCB recently imposed a two-year ban on Muzarabani from playing in the PSL claiming he breached a contract with Islamabad United and joined IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders.The fast bowler’s agent, Rob Humphries tore into the PCB on Sunday in a social media post for the ban and claimed his client neither took part in the PSL players auction nor signed any contract with Islamabad United.Humphries said the ban was excessive and unjustified.READ | Muzarabani banned from PSL for two years after signing IPL contractBut sources in the PCB while conceding no contract was signed with Rabbani claimed that a clear verbal agreement between both the parties was reached.The source said this was also clear in the PCB announcement about the ban that despite a clear offer and an unequivocal acceptance of essential terms, the player chose to disregard these obligations in favour of a conflicting arrangement.The PCB source said once essential terms — including remuneration and structure — are agreed upon through written correspondence, a binding obligation is formed.But Humphries said after talks began with Islamabad United it had made it clear that unless it had a contract they couldn’t apply for an NOC from the Zimbabwe Cricket.“We’ve remained quiet publicly over the last six weeks because we did not wish to create or cause anymore animosity for the Pakistan Super League/Pakistan Cricket Board than they had already created for themselves,” Humphries’ statement said.“[On] 13 February, Blessing [was] approached by Islamabad United about a playing opportunity for the 2026 PSL. The deal [was] agreed subject to obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Zimbabwe Cricket.“An NOC cannot be obtained without a contract from the PSL. Islamabad United/PSL announced the signing to the world via social media,” it said.Humphries further urged the PCB to gracefully withdraw the ban and accept this situation risen out of an administrative error at its end.Muzarabani was taken by Islamabad as a replacement for West Indian pacer Shamar Joseph for USD 40,000.Published on Apr 19, 2026 #contract #signed #Muzarabani #PSL #stint #verbal #agreement #reached #PCB](https://i2.wp.com/ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/q4l6wd/article70881506.ece/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1200/PTI04_13_2026_000435B.jpg?ssl=1 "No contract was signed with Muzarabani for PSL stint, but verbal agreement was reached: PCB The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) admitted that no contract was ever sent to Blessing Muzarabani to play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) but insisted that a firm verbal agreement was reached with the Zimbabwe pacer and he had breached the trust while joining the Indian Premier League (IPL).The PCB recently imposed a two-year ban on Muzarabani from playing in the PSL claiming he breached a contract with Islamabad United and joined IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders.The fast bowler’s agent, Rob Humphries tore into the PCB on Sunday in a social media post for the ban and claimed his client neither took part in the PSL players auction nor signed any contract with Islamabad United.Humphries said the ban was excessive and unjustified.READ | Muzarabani banned from PSL for two years after signing IPL contractBut sources in the PCB while conceding no contract was signed with Rabbani claimed that a clear verbal agreement between both the parties was reached.The source said this was also clear in the PCB announcement about the ban that despite a clear offer and an unequivocal acceptance of essential terms, the player chose to disregard these obligations in favour of a conflicting arrangement.The PCB source said once essential terms — including remuneration and structure — are agreed upon through written correspondence, a binding obligation is formed.But Humphries said after talks began with Islamabad United it had made it clear that unless it had a contract they couldn’t apply for an NOC from the Zimbabwe Cricket.“We’ve remained quiet publicly over the last six weeks because we did not wish to create or cause anymore animosity for the Pakistan Super League/Pakistan Cricket Board than they had already created for themselves,” Humphries’ statement said.“[On] 13 February, Blessing [was] approached by Islamabad United about a playing opportunity for the 2026 PSL. The deal [was] agreed subject to obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Zimbabwe Cricket.“An NOC cannot be obtained without a contract from the PSL. Islamabad United/PSL announced the signing to the world via social media,” it said.Humphries further urged the PCB to gracefully withdraw the ban and accept this situation risen out of an administrative error at its end.Muzarabani was taken by Islamabad as a replacement for West Indian pacer Shamar Joseph for USD 40,000.Published on Apr 19, 2026 #contract #signed #Muzarabani #PSL #stint #verbal #agreement #reached #PCB")
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