Shaheen Afridi Named Pakistan ODI Captain, Replacing Rizwan

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that senior pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi will replace Muhammad Rizwan as the new ODI captain of Pakistan. The decision comes ahead of the three-match ODI series against South Africa scheduled in Faisalabad from November 4 to 8. The PCB confirmed that the change was decided at a meeting in Islamabad attended by national selectors, advisory board members, and white-ball head coach Mike Hesson.

While the PCB did not give an official explanation for the decision, cricket insiders suggest that Hesson’s recommendation played a major role in the leadership switch. The change has sparked widespread discussion among cricket experts and fans, particularly since Rizwan has led Pakistan in 20 ODIs, winning nine and losing 11. His tenure included series wins in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, as well as mixed results in the ICC Champions Trophy and tours to New Zealand and the West Indies.

At 25 years old, Shaheen Afridi brings significant international experience to the role. He has featured in 66 ODIs, 92 T20Is, and 32 Test matches for Pakistan. Known for his pace and consistency, Afridi is considered one of Pakistan’s leading bowlers in limited-overs cricket. His appointment as ODI captain marks a new phase for Pakistan cricket, with expectations to strengthen the team’s performance and inspire younger players in the squad.

The decision to replace Rizwan has been linked to multiple factors. Analysts have questioned Hesson’s quick judgment, as he has worked with Rizwan in only one ODI series since taking charge as white-ball coach in May, immediately after the Pakistan Super League. Cricket commentator Omair Alavi remarked that Rizwan’s record—winning 45 percent of ODIs he captained—does not justify the sudden change, especially given his earlier series victories in challenging conditions.

Reports indicate that some officials were uncomfortable with Rizwan’s growing focus on religion during team activities. The wicketkeeper-batter was known to arrange prayers in team hotels and encouraged players to pray five times a day. While Rizwan openly expressed his faith, some players reportedly felt uneasy, drawing comparisons to former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who faced similar concerns during his tenure between 2004 and 2007.

The leadership decision reportedly involved not only Hesson but also members of the PCB selection committee, including Aaqib Javed, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Misbah-ul-Haq. These senior figures, alongside advisory board members, provided input that influenced the appointment of Shaheen Afridi as ODI captain. Their combined recommendation was accepted by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, finalising the leadership transition ahead of the South Africa series.

The change has generated mixed reactions from fans and former cricketers. While some support Afridi’s appointment as a chance to rejuvenate Pakistan’s ODI squad, others criticized the handling of Rizwan’s replacement. Former player Ahmed Shehzad publicly questioned the reasoning behind using religion to explain team performance, calling it unfortunate. With Shaheen Afridi now leading the side, all eyes will be on how Pakistan performs in the upcoming series and whether the new captain can successfully guide the team in the lead-up to future international fixtures