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Mohammad Rizwan replaced by Shaheen Shah Afridi as Pakistan ODI skipper ahead of South Africa series starting November 4.
Pakistan fast-bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi (PTI)
Star wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan was on Monday sacked by the Pakistan Cricket Board because the ODI skipper, with ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi named the brand new captain, weeks ahead of the ODI series against South Africa, that starts on November 4.
The Pakistan Cricket Board announced the choice after the opening day of the Rawalpindi Test against South Africa, a game featuring each Rizwan and Shaheen.
No reason was given for Rizwan’s removal, in truth, his name didn’t appear within the PCB’s official statement. The board said that the choice was made after a gathering in Islamabad between the choice committee and white-ball head coach Mike Hesson.
Rizwan’s removal appeared inevitable after the PCB issued an announcement over the weekend declining to verify him as ODI skipper. As an alternative, the board said that Hesson had requested chairman Mohsin Naqvi to convene a gathering with the choice and advisory committee to appoint a brand new captain.
In response to a report in ESPNCricinfo, the will to exchange Rizwan wasn’t on the behest of the top coach, but enjoyed wider backing at the best level of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision-making process.
Afridi’s previous stint as a white-ball skipper was removed from memorable. Appointed to steer the T20I team for the series against Latest Zealand in January 2024, he oversaw a 4–1 loss before being replaced in circumstances just like Rizwan’s current ouster.
Naqvi declined to verify Shaheen’s continuation and every week later, Babar Azam was reinstated as skipper.
Although Pakistan proceed with different skippers across formats, Rizwan was, until recently, considered probably the most secure of the three. Since taking charge of the ODI team last 12 months, he has been just 4 runs shy of being Pakistan’s top run-scorer, averaging nearly 42.
Under Rizwan’s captaincy, Pakistan clinched ODI series victories in Australia and South Africa in 2024, though their form has declined since, culminating in a disappointing first-round exit at the house Champions Trophy.
October 20, 2025, 23:14 IST
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