Mohammad Rizwan has been appointed Pakistan’s captain for the ODI and T20I formats, taking over from Babar Azam after a series of disappointing World Cup performances. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi announced Mohammad Rizwan as the new skipper, while Slaman Ali Agah was named the vice-captain.
To note, Babar Azam was re-appointed as Pakistan captain back in March after he initially stepped down following Pakistan’s poor show in the last ODI World Cup held in India. However, PCB’s move failed as the Men in Green could not go beyond the group stage in the Men’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA, which eventually led to Babar yet again stepping down from his role as the side’s skipper.
Why Rizwan replaced Babar as Pakistan’s captain?
Speaking on why Mohammad Rizwan has replaced Babar Azam as Pakistan’s captain, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that the board is confident in Rizwan leading the Men in Green in white-ball formats. “We spoke to the 5 mentors of the Champions Cup and the coaches and the majority of them believed that Mohammad Rizwan should be the captain and Salman Ali Agha the vice-captain of the side,” Mohsin Naqvi said in the press conference.
Mohammad Rizwan’s captaincy record
It must be mentioned that Rizwan has never led Pakistan in ODIs and T20Is, but captained them in two Tests on the tour of New Zealand in 2020-21. Under Rizwan, Multan Sultans won the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in 2021 after which they finished as the runners-up in three successive seasons in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Mohmmad Rizwan’s captaincy stint starts during the Pakistan tour of Australia. The Men in Green will play three ODIs and as many T20Is from November 4 onwards. 32-year-old Rizwan will also lead them in the ODI series against Zimbabwe, starting from November 24 onwards.
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