Johannesburg: Wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock has made a surprising return to one-day internationals after announcing his retirement following the 2023 World Cup in India. The South African cricket team has recalled him for their upcoming series against Pakistan, which includes ODIs and T20s beginning next month.

According to BBC, De Kock, who is 32 years old, has not played for the Proteas in any format since the T20 World Cup final in June 2024. Although he did not formally retire from T20 internationals, De Kock was not offered a central contract last year after stepping away from Test cricket back in 2021. South Africa coach Shukri Conrad expressed his enthusiasm about De Kock’s return, highlighting the player’s unwavering ambition to represent his country and the positive impact his experience brings to the team.

This year, De Kock has only participated in T20 leagues, including the SA20 in South Africa, the Indian Premier League, Major League Cricket, and the Caribbean Premier League. Known as one of the prominent white-ball batters over the past decade, De Kock ranks just behind Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma with 21 ODI centuries since his debut in January 2013. He was also South Africa’s top run-scorer during the previous year’s T20 World Cup.

The series in Pakistan will commence on October 12, featuring two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20s. With captain Temba Bavuma sidelined due to injury, Aiden Markram will assume leadership for the Tests—South Africa’s first since clinching the World Test Championship in June. Donovan Ferreira will captain a one-off T20 match against Namibia following the Pakistan tour.

The squads for the series have been announced, with Aiden Markram leading the Test team, David Miller captaining the T20s, and Matthew Breetzke heading the ODI side. De Kock has been named across the T20 and ODI squads, which will undoubtedly bolster South Africa’s chances in the upcoming matches.