In another chapter of Pakistan cricket’s ever-changing leadership story, star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been named the new ODI captain, replacing Mohammad Rizwan. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made the official announcement on Monday, October 20.
Shaheen, 24, will lead Pakistan in the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting November 4. This marks his return to a leadership role after his brief stint as T20I captain in early 2024, a tenure that lasted just two months.
Leadership Shuffle After Key Meeting
The decision was made during an important meeting in Islamabad, attended by white-ball coach Mike Hesson, High Performance Director Aqib Javed, and members of the national selection committee.
Shaheen’s appointment is seen as part of Pakistan’s ongoing effort to rebuild and restructure their white-ball teams after inconsistent performances in both ODIs and T20Is in recent months.
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Rizwan’s Mixed Captaincy Record Comes to an End
Mohammad Rizwan’s removal ends a short and bumpy journey as Pakistan’s white-ball captain. He took charge of the ODI and T20I sides in October 2024 but failed to deliver consistent results.
Under Rizwan’s ODI leadership, Pakistan won 9 out of 20 matches, losing 11, a win percentage of just 45%. His T20I captaincy fared worse, with Pakistan losing all four matches he led.
Following those T20I losses, Rizwan was replaced by Salman Ali Agha in the shortest format but continued as ODI skipper until now.
Another Change in the Captaincy Carousel
This is yet another shift in Pakistan’s recent pattern of frequent captaincy changes, which has led to concerns about long-term planning and leadership stability in the team. In the last year alone, multiple captains have come and gone across formats.
Now, with Shaheen Afridi taking over the ODI side, Pakistan will be hoping for a new direction and results to match.
What to Expect from Shaheen’s Captaincy
Shaheen is known for his fiery pace and attacking mindset, especially with the new ball. But leadership brings a different kind of challenge. As captain, he’ll need to balance his individual brilliance with the responsibility of guiding a young and evolving squad.
The South Africa series will be a real test – not just of Shaheen’s captaincy, but of Pakistan’s ability to build consistency and confidence in their white-ball game.
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