Shaheen Shah Afridi Appointed as Pakistan’s New ODI Captain, Replacing Mohammad Rizwan

The captaincy of the Pakistan cricket team has once again become a major talking point, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officially announced Shaheen Shah Afridi as the new One Day International (ODI) captain, replacing Mohammad Rizwan. This move adds another chapter to Pakistan’s ongoing leadership drama, which has seen frequent changes over the past few years.

Although this decision had been hinted at earlier through inside reports, its official timing came as a surprise to many fans and analysts. The PCB made the announcement late Monday evening, right after the first day of the Test match between Pakistan and South Africa in Rawalpindi—a game that featured both Rizwan and Shaheen. Interestingly, the board did not provide any public explanation for removing Rizwan from captaincy, leaving room for speculation and debate.

Sources inside the PCB revealed that the decision was finalized after an important meeting held in Islamabad. The meeting was attended by the national selection committee, Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, and was chaired by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. While it wasn’t Hesson’s direct recommendation to remove Rizwan, insiders claim that the move had strong backing from senior PCB officials who wanted to start a new phase in white-ball cricket.

Mohammad Rizwan had been appointed Pakistan’s white-ball captain in October last year. His early days as skipper looked promising, as Pakistan managed to win ODI series in both Australia and South Africa under his leadership. However, things took a turn when Pakistan was eliminated early from the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, which was held at home. That disappointing performance affected Rizwan’s standing with the board. First, he was stripped of the T20 captaincy, and now, the ODI leadership has been handed to Shaheen Afridi.

For 25-year-old Shaheen Shah Afridi, this appointment is an opportunity for redemption. He had previously captained Pakistan’s T20 team early last year but struggled to make an impact. Pakistan lost that series to New Zealand by 4–1, leading to Babar Azam’s reinstatement as T20 captain. However, Shaheen didn’t let that setback define him. Over the past year, he has delivered some of the best performances of his career, emerging as Pakistan’s top wicket-taker in ODIs for 2024. His consistency and aggression with the ball have made him one of the most feared fast bowlers in world cricket.

Since the 2023 World Cup, Shaheen has taken 45 ODI wickets — the most by any fast bowler from a Full Member nation during that period. His average of more than two wickets per match highlights his dominance and effectiveness as a strike bowler. These achievements likely played a major role in convincing the PCB that he has the leadership qualities and performance level needed to guide Pakistan’s ODI team.

With this appointment, Shaheen becomes the 31st player in Pakistan’s cricket history to captain the national ODI side. His first major task as skipper will be leading Pakistan in the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, scheduled to be played in Faisalabad next month.

Pakistan will continue its policy of split captaincy across all formats. Shan Masood will remain the Test captain, while Salman Ali Agha will continue to lead the T20 team. This strategy aims to distribute responsibilities among players and help maintain stability within each squad.

As the PCB’s decision sparks debates among fans, former players, and cricket experts, one thing is certain—Pakistan is entering a new era under Shaheen Shah Afridi’s leadership. Supporters are eager to see if his passion, energy, and fighting spirit can inspire the team to achieve consistency and success in ODIs. For Shaheen, it’s more than just a leadership role; it’s a chance to prove himself not only as Pakistan’s bowling spearhead but also as a capable leader who can guide the Men in Green toward a stronger and more united future.

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