Shaheen Afridi Replaces Mohammad Rizwan as Pakistan ODI Captain in Another Major PCB Shake-Up

Pakistan cricket is once again witnessing a leadership change. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has removed Mohammad Rizwan from the captaincy of the ODI team, appointing Shaheen Shah Afridi as the new white-ball captain. The announcement came after a meeting between the selection committee and white-ball coach Mike Hesson in Islamabad, though the reasons behind this sudden change have not been disclosed.

PCB Removes Rizwan from ODI Captaincy

Mohammad Rizwan has not made any public statement regarding his removal. Reports suggest that Mike Hesson was present during the meeting, but the decision was made collectively with PCB officials rather than solely by the coach.

This move marks another dramatic change in Pakistan’s white-ball leadership structure, continuing a pattern of frequent captaincy shifts in recent years.

Shaheen Afridi’s Second Stint as White-Ball Captain

Shaheen Afridi, who previously led Pakistan’s T20 side, will now captain the ODI team for the second time. However, his prior T20 captaincy was marked by setbacks, including a 1-4 series loss against New Zealand. This raises questions about whether Afridi can achieve consistent success in the ODI format.

Rizwan’s ODI Captaincy Record

Mohammad Rizwan’s tenure as ODI captain included 20 matches, with 9 wins and 11 losses. He scored 625 runs at an average of 41.67, and under his leadership, Pakistan achieved historic series wins in Australia and South Africa.

Statistically, Rizwan’s captaincy was successful, making his removal puzzling for fans and analysts alike. This decision underscores the continuing instability in Pakistan cricket, where leadership changes remain frequent despite proven performance.