Lahore [Pakistan], February 9 (ANI): South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen on Tuesday reflected on his battle with coronavirus, saying that he could not run 20-30 metres, or do anything for two or three minutes without his heart rate going up too high.

Klaasen had tested positive for coronavirus on December 3 during South Africa's white-ball series against England.

"The first 16 or 17 days I couldn't really do much. I was very ill. The problem came with the fact that I could not start exercising. Or I could start exercising again, but I could not run 20-30 metres, or do anything for two or three minutes without my heart rate going up too high," ESPNcricinfo quoted Klaasen as saying.

Klaasen was unable to follow CSA's return-to-play plan and admitted that it took him a "long time" to just get his heart rate under control.

"There are protocols that one has to follow to be able to rebuild your workload but I could not stick to that programme. It is a very simple programme where you exercise for 10-15 minutes a day and (do exercises) like walking 200 metres. It took me a long time to just get my heart rate under control so that I could exercise at least a little bit without getting past the phase where it is too dangerous," he said.

The player is now all set to lead South Africa in the upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan, slated to begin on Thursday. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)