Pakistan Cricket Board Names Shaheen Afridi ODI Captain, Ends Rizwan’s Tenure

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sacked Mohammad Rizwan as the ODI captain, appointing fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi as his successor. The decision, announced on Monday, marks the third change in Pakistan’s ODI captaincy within the last 12 months, leaving fans and analysts reeling. Shaheen, aged 25, will lead the team in the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, scheduled for November 4, 6, and 8 in Faisalabad.

The PCB’s decision followed a high-stakes meeting in Islamabad, attended by the selection committee and Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, Mike Hesson. “After careful consideration, the selection committee has appointed Shaheen Shah Afridi as the ODI captain for the South Africa series,” the PCB stated in its official release. The move comes as a surprise, given Rizwan’s relatively short stint as captain, which began in October 2024 after Babar Azam stepped down.

Rizwan’s tenure as ODI skipper had a promising start. In November 2024, he led Pakistan to a historic 2-1 series victory in Australia, their first in the country in 22 years. The team followed this with a remarkable 3-0 whitewash of South Africa on their home soil, a feat that stunned the cricketing world. Pakistan also secured a 2-1 series win in Zimbabwe, further boosting Rizwan’s credentials. However, cracks began to appear in 2025. Pakistan lost the final of a home tri-series to New Zealand and suffered an early exit in the Champions Trophy, finishing at the bottom of Group A behind India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. The final blow came in the West Indies, where Pakistan slumped to a 2-1 series defeat, their first in the Caribbean in 34 years.

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Shaheen Shah Afridi, known for his fiery pace and leadership in the T20 format, is no stranger to captaincy. He previously led Pakistan in five T20 internationals in New Zealand in January 2024, though his stint ended after a 4-1 series loss. Despite that setback, the PCB’s faith in Shaheen’s leadership potential remains strong, with the board banking on his aggressive approach to turn around Pakistan’s ODI fortunes.

The decision to replace Rizwan, a dependable wicket-keeper batter and a fan favorite, has sparked debate across social media and cricket circles. Many question the PCB’s frequent leadership changes, with three captains in just over a year raising concerns about stability. Rizwan’s calm demeanor and tactical acumen had earned praise, but his recent string of losses appears to have sealed his fate.

As Shaheen prepares to take the reins, all eyes will be on Faisalabad for the South Africa series. The young pacer will face a formidable challenge, with South Africa eager to redeem themselves after last year’s whitewash. For Pakistan, the series offers a chance to reset and rebuild under Shaheen’s leadership, but the pressure is on to deliver results in a format where consistency has been elusive.

With the PCB’s bold move, the cricketing world waits to see if Shaheen can lead Pakistan to glory or if the revolving door of captaincy will continue to spin.

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