Lahore, October 27, 2024 – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday named Mohammad Rizwan, the experienced wicketkeeper-batsman, as the captain of Pakistan’s white-ball teams.
This leadership transition follows Babar Azam’s recent decision to step down from the role, citing his desire to prioritize personal performance, rediscover his passion for batting, and spend quality time with family.
Rizwan, now entrusted with the captaincy, will lead the team into his first assignment—a three-match One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) series against Australia, commencing on November 4. This announcement underscores PCB’s strategic shift as it looks to infuse fresh energy and direction into the national squad, which has faced fluctuating fortunes on the international stage.
As part of the leadership restructuring, PCB Chairman Naqvi also named all-rounder Salman Ali Agha as vice-captain. Agha, a skilled spinner, will take on the T20I captaincy during the Zimbabwe tour to allow Rizwan a period of rest under PCB’s workload management plan.
Since his white-ball debut in 2015, the 32-year-old Rizwan has been a mainstay in Pakistan’s batting and keeping line-up. Over the course of 74 ODIs and 102 T20Is, he has amassed 5,401 runs, including four centuries, and demonstrated agility behind the stumps with 143 dismissals. His extensive experience and consistent performance make him a seasoned choice for the captaincy role.
Rizwan’s captaincy will mark a historic milestone, making him the 31st player to lead Pakistan in ODIs when he takes charge against Australia in Melbourne. Furthermore, the first T20I in Brisbane on November 14 will see him become the 12th player to captain Pakistan in the format. This dual responsibility places him in a position to shape the future of Pakistan’s white-ball squad.
During a joint press conference, the PCB chief lauded the new appointments, affirming that the decision to appoint Rizwan as captain and Agha as vice-captain was made after thorough consultations with selectors and team mentors. “It was almost a unanimous choice,” he noted, highlighting Rizwan’s attributes as a calm and calculated leader.
He extended his best wishes to Rizwan and Agha, stressing the importance of nurturing young talent and respecting domestic cricket’s crucial role in team-building. The chairman also praised the relentless efforts of the selection committee, who recently orchestrated Pakistan’s victory in a pivotal Test series against England—marking a significant achievement after a three-year drought.
PCB’s chairman described Babar Azam as an invaluable “asset” for the team. He emphasized that Babar’s decision to step down was a personal one, driven by his desire to refocus on his game after an evident dip in his batting performance across formats. Naqvi expressed hope that the former captain would return to his peak form, setting a powerful example for the rest of the team.
In response to questions about Fakhar Zaman, a key opening batsman, Naqvi acknowledged recent concerns, particularly regarding his fitness, an area that has impacted his performance. Fitness remains a central theme for PCB as they aim to establish a high-performance culture in white-ball cricket.
Rizwan, in his remarks, expressed optimism about the announced squads for the Australia tour, calling it a “balanced team” that merges experience with youth. He emphasized the importance of sustained fitness and the need to elevate young talents to international standards, referencing impressive performances by young players in recent domestic competitions, such as the Champions One-Day Cup.
The PCB also released the official squads for the upcoming series against Australia and Zimbabwe, underscoring its commitment to fostering a blend of seasoned players and promising young talent. The ODI and T20I rosters include notable names like Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, with Rizwan and Agha expected to lead by example as the team eyes strong performances in these series.
The upcoming matches mark an exciting new era for Pakistan’s cricket under Rizwan’s leadership, who will be tasked with rallying a cohesive unit and strategically guiding a dynamic mix of seasoned players and rising stars to new heights on the international stage.