Overview
- South Africa lead Pakistan 1–0 after a 55-run win in Rawalpindi, with the second T20I scheduled in Lahore on Friday evening.
- De Kock has scored 1 against Namibia and 23 against Pakistan since rejoining the white-ball squad after more than a year away.
- He retired from ODIs after the 2023 World Cup and stepped away from T20Is after the 2024 tournament before phoning coach Shukri Conrad in August about a comeback.
- Explaining his return, he cited a revived childhood dream, the pull of team camaraderie, and enjoyment of a refreshed setup with younger players and new staff.
- Conrad has called him an enigma, and De Kock, a 303-cap international with 12,678 runs and 28 centuries, has also predicted Pakistan will respond strongly in Lahore.