• Source:JND
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Quinton De Kock has reversed his ODI retirement and has made it to both ODI and T20I squads of South Africa for the Pakistan tour, as well as a one-off T20I in Namibia before that.

The assignment will mark his return to international cricket after over a year, having last represented South Africa in the T20 World Cup final against India in Barbados last June.

De Kock retired from ODI cricket after the 2023 World Cup in India at the age of 30. He had played 155 ODIs by then, scoring 6770 runs at an average of 45.74 and a strike rate of 96.64, with 21 centuries. While he never officially retired from T20Is, he was not included in any of South Africa's squads, and former coach Rob Walter was unsure of his long-term plans.

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However, the left-handed batter has been active in T20 leagues around the world, including the recently-concluded CPL.

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South Africa's current head coach, Shukri Conrad, has had a discussion with de Kock and said he has committed to the national team again. "Quinton's return to the white-ball space is a major boost for us," 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."

During the time of his ODI retirement, De Kock had hinted that he might be convinced to come back, with South Africa's home World Cup in 2027 on the horizon. "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," he had said.

South Africa’s squad for Pakistan T20Is: David Miller (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane and Lizaad Williams

South Africa’s squad for Pakistan ODIs: Matthew Breetzke (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Sinethemba Qeshile.

South Africa’s squad for Namibia T20I: Donovan Ferreira (captain), Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, Kwena Maphaka, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith and Lizaad Williams