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Wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock has reversed his retirement for one-day internationals and been recalled by South Africa for their ODIs and T20s against Pakistan starting next month.<\/b><\/p>\n
De Kock, 32, retired from 50-over internationals after the 2023 World Cup in India and has not played for the Proteas in any format since the final of the T20 World Cup in June 2024.<\/p>\n
Though he did not officially retire from T20s, De Kock, who called time on his Test career in 2021, was not given a central contract last year. <\/p>\n
The decision comes before next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, and the 50-over World Cup, for which South Africa are co-hosts, in 2027.<\/p>\n
It is also a boost to South Africa, and international cricket more widely, amid the power of franchise leagues. <\/p>\n
Proteas batter Heinrich Klaasen, one of the world’s leading T20 batters, retired from international cricket in June.<\/p>\n
“Quinton’s return to the white-ball space is a major boost for us,” South Africa coach Shukri Conrad said. <\/p>\n
“When we spoke last month about his future, it was clear that he still has a strong ambition to represent his country.<\/p>\n
“Everyone knows the quality he brings to the side, and having him back can only benefit the team.”<\/p>\n
De Kock’s only cricket this year has been in T20 leagues – the SA20 in South Africa at the start of the year, followed by the Indian Premier League, Major League Cricket and the Caribbean Premier League.<\/p>\n
At his best, he has been one of the best white-ball batters of the past decade with only Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma scoring more ODI centuries than De Kock’s 21 since his debut in January 2013.<\/p>\n
He was also South Africa’s leading run-scorer at last year’s T20 World Cup.<\/p>\n
South Africa play two Tests, three ODIs and three T20s in Pakistan, starting on 12 October.<\/p>\n
Injured captain Temba Bavuma will miss the Tests – their first since winning the World Test Championship in June<\/a> – meaning Aiden Markram will lead in his place.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n