Jason Smith gets surprise call up to Proteas squad for upcoming T20 World Cup

The 31-year-old Smith only boasts two T20I international caps, with the last coming against Namibia in October when most of the first-choice players were unavailable.

The batting allrounder has been in fine form in recent months, striking an unbeaten 68 off just 19 balls while playing for the Dolphins against Titans in the CSA T20 Challenge.

He has also started the ongoing SA20 on a good note, scoring 41 off just 14 deliveries for MI Cape Town against Durban's Super Giants in the tournament opener.

Aiden Markram will lead the Proteas squad, which includes maiden T20 World Cup call ups for Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka and Smith.

Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada returns to the T20I setup after missing the recent white-ball tour against India due to a rib injury.

Another notable inclusion is paceman Anrich Nortje, who finished as the Proteas' leading wicket-taker at the 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup, where they ended as runners-up to India.

The squad also includes experienced batters Quinton de Kock and David Miller, along with spinner Keshav Maharaj, fast bowler Lungi Ngidi and allrounder Marco Jansen.

The Proteas are drawn in Group D alongside Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates, and will begin their campaign on 9 February against Canada in Ahmedabad.

Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad said: "We are returning to the subcontinent, where we recently competed against hosts India. The experience we gained playing in those conditions will undoubtedly benefit us as we head into this tournament.

"Many of the players selected for the World Cup squad were on that trip and experienced first-hand the pitches that we will likely encounter and that will stand them in good stead once we get to India.

"We do have one more T20I series against the West Indies before we depart for the World Cup, and that squad will be announced later this month."

Proteas T20 World Cup squad: Aiden Markram (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Jason Smith

READ MORE: Matthew Potts drafted into England squad for final Ashes Test in Sydney