Mohammad Rizwan stripped of ODI captaincy, Pakistan hands over the reins of the team to Shaheen Afridi
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There has been another new twist in the captaincy of Pakistan cricket. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has removed Mohammad Rizwan from the captaincy of the ODI team. Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been appointed the new ODI captain in his place.
Rizwan had just assumed the captaincy in the 50-over format (ODI) in October last year, but has now been removed. Surprisingly, Shaheen will now lead the team in the three-match ODI series against South Africa next month. This is the third change in Pakistan’s ODI captaincy in the last 12 months.
Shaheen Afridi becomes Pakistan’s new ODI captain
25-year-old Shaheen Afridi replaces Mohammad Rizwan, who became the ODI captain following Babar Azam’s resignation in October last year.
However, Pakistan’s performance under Rizwan’s captaincy was poor. In this year’s Champions Trophy, Pakistan finished at the bottom of Group A, while India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh placed above them. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stated that Shaheen’s appointment followed a meeting in Islamabad.
According to a PCB statement,
The selection committee met, attended by Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, Mike Hesson. The meeting decided that Shaheen would captain Pakistan in the upcoming ODI series against South Africa.
-PCB
The three-match ODI series between Pakistan and South Africa will be played in Faisalabad on November 4, 6, and 8.
Mohammad Rizwan’s performance as ODI captain
Mohammad Rizwan had a good start as ODI captain. In November 2024, a 2-1 victory in Australia marked Pakistan’s first victory in 22 years. Pakistan then defeated South Africa 3-0 at home and Zimbabwe 2-1. However, performance declined in 2025.
Pakistan first lost the final of the home tri-series to New Zealand, and then was eliminated in the first round of the Champions Trophy in February. The worst situation came when Pakistan lost 2-1 in the West Indies, which was its first series defeat there in the last 34 years.
