- Proteas wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen opened up on his experience with contracting Covid-19.
- Klaasen only managed to play four competitive games this season and has not played a game this year.
- Klaasen will stand-in as captain for the three-match T20 series against Pakistan.
Last year, wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen was one of the three Proteas players who tested positive for the coronavirus during England's tour to South Africa.
Klaasen, who played two of the three T20Is against England, picked up Covid-19 before the start of the opening ODI at Newlands.
The ODI match and series was eventually postponed without a ball being bowled.
While some experience relatively mild symptoms, Klaasen explained on Tuesday the "tough" physical strain his body went through while battling the life-threatening virus.
"It was a difficult two months for me, I think the first 16-17 days, I couldn't do anything. I was very sick," Klaasen told reporters in Lahore on Tuesday.
Klaasen revealed that his symptoms were so severe as he struggled to train with the Titans during the summer.
"The problems came when I couldn't train properly, I could train a bit but I couldn't go for a 20-30 minute run or do anything without my heart palpitating," said the wicketkeeper-batsman.
"There were various rules to work and build on your workload but I couldn't do the programme, it was a simple programme where you train 10-20 minutes. It took me a long time to keep my heart rate under control so I can train a bit.
"It was mentally awful, I sat at home for two months and did nothing."
Since contracting the virus in December, Klaasen has not played any competitive cricket and did not feature for the Titans at last month's One Day Cup.
Klaasen admitted that although he is unsure of his form heading into the opening T20 on Thursday, he has been hitting the ball "nicely".
"I had a weekend in the bush, just to get away from it all and be fresh for this tour. The last three weeks, I could train properly with Mandla (Mashimbyi) at the Titans so I'm on track. I'm fit and safe so I can play cricket," said Klaasen.
"It's a different season for me, I think I've played four games, which has been really frustrating. I'm finally recovered now, Covid hit me quite hard.
"I've been working hard, it's difficult to tell you how my form is. We'll probably see in the next three games.
"I've just been trying to get back into my rhythm obviously conditions here are different. But I'm hitting the ball nicely and looking forward to this series."
The 29-year-old will wear the captain's armband for the Proteas in the three-match T20 series against Pakistan.
Despite it being his first leadership role in the national side, Klaasen has been a senior member and led the Titans and the Tshwane Spartans over the past few seasons.
"For me coming in as captain, I'm looking forward to this challenge," said Klaasen.
"It's nothing new for me, I've been captaining my franchise team for the last two seasons. I'm looking forward to it and I'll see what I can do."
The first T20 is on Thursday at 12:30 SA time.
Proteas T20 squad to Pakistan:
Heinrich Klaasen (captain, Titans), Nandre Burger (Cape Cobras), Okuhle Cele (Titans), Junior Dala (Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (Lions), Reeza Hendricks (Lions), George Linde (Cape Cobras), Janneman Malan (Cape Cobras), David Miller (Dolphins), Andile Phehlukwayo (Dolphins), Dwaine Pretorius (Lions), Ryan Rickleton (Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Titans), Lutho Sipamla (Lions), Jon-Jon Smuts (Warriors), Pite van Biljon (Knights), Glenton Stuurman (Warriors), Jacques Snyman (Knights).
Pakistan v Proteas T20 series:
11 February - 1st T20 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (12:30 SA time)
13 February - 2nd T20 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (12:30 SA time)
14 February - 3rd T20 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (12:30 SA time)