South Africa tour of Pakistan | Quinton de Kock back in Proteas’ white-ball squad after reversing ODI retirement

‌Quinton de Kock returned to the South Africa ODI and T20I squad after reversing his decision to retire from ODIs. The wicketkeeper-batter was included in both white-ball squads for the upcoming tour of Pakistan, where the Proteas are scheduled to play three T20Is and three ODIs, after their two-Test duel, from October 28.

De Kock had announced his retirement from ODIs after South Africa’s exit from the ICC World Cup after their semifinal loss to Australia in 2023. The left-handed batter had a prolific run in the marquee event in India, scoring four hundreds as he amassed 594 runs in 10 matches at an average of 59.40. He was also the Proteas’ highest run-getter, and third overall, in the tournament.

The 30-year-old’s announcement took the cricketing world by surprise as he looked in great nick and was expected to play a key role in the next edition of the World Cup at home in 2027. But he had left the door open, not ruling out the possibility of a comeback, while announcing his exit from the one-day game back then.

"At this point, I don't foresee it happening. But you never know. Strange things happen in life. It could be a possibility but I don't think so," De Kock had said at the time of announcing his retirement.

De Kock’s ODI numbers have been impressive, with the wicketkeeper-batter scoring 6770 runs from 155 matches at an average of 45.74 and a strike rate of 96.64. The Kolkata Knight Riders’ star also has 21 centuries and 30 half-centuries to his name, with a total of 226 dismissals behind the stumps.

"Quinton's return to the white-ball space is a major boost for us," Head Coach Shukri Conrad said. "When we spoke last month about his future, it was clear that he still has a strong ambition to represent his country. Everyone knows the quality he brings to the side, and having him back can only benefit the team."

Meanwhile, de Kock was last seen in the T20I format when the Proteas lost to India in the summit clash of the T20 World Cup in Barbados last year. Though he did not announce his retirement formally, the southpaw did not form part of former coach Rob Walter’s plans in the shorter format. He has 2584 runs from 92 T20Is, including a century and 16 fifties, at an average of 31.51 and a strike rate of 138.32.