South African veteran withdraws retirement, included in ODI and T20 squads for Pakistan tour

South African wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock has backtracked on his retirement from ODI cricket, and the selectors have added him to the ODI and T20 teams for the Pakistan tour. He will also play a solitary T20 game against Namibia.

De Kock retired from 50-over cricket following the 2023 ODI World Cup, and his final limited-overs game for South Africa was the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Barbados. He is not officially retired from T20 cricket. Meanwhile, he has been active in T20 leagues across the globe, including the recently finished CPL.

Current head coach Shukri Conrad has spoken with de Kock and said he has recommitted to the national team. "Quinton's return to the white-ball team is a huge achievement for us. When we discussed his future last month, it was clear that he still has a strong ambition to represent his country. Everyone knows the qualities he brings to the team, and his return will only benefit the team," Conrad said.

At the time of his ODI retirement, de Kock hinted that he might be persuaded to return, considering South Africa's home World Cup in 2027. "At the moment, I don't see that happening," he said. "But you never know. Strange things happen in life. It could be a possibility, but I don't think so."