In a major shift, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially appointed Mohammad Rizwan as Pakistan’s white-ball captain. Announced by PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi at a press conference, Mohammad Rizwan will lead Pakistan’s six-match white-ball series in Australia. Batting allrounder Agha Salman has been designated as the vice-captain and will step in as captain for the Zimbabwe series in Rizwan’s absence.
The announcement came shortly after the PCB’s selection committee revealed the squads for the Australia and Zimbabwe tours. Notably, Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah have been named for the Australia series, while prominent names like opener Fakhar Zaman and seasoned allrounder Shadab Khan missed out.
With the PCB initially leaving the captaincy position unannounced in the squad release, fans and experts speculated on Babar’s successor in the white-ball formats. Rizwan, as expected, has now taken the reins and is prepared to lead Pakistan Down Under.
Pakistan Announces White-Ball Squads for Australia Tour; Fakhar Zaman Excluded
Mohammad Rizwan Stellar Journey and Leadership
Rizwan has been one of Pakistan’s most consistent white-ball performers, known for his resilience and ability to anchor innings. With 2,088 runs in 67 ODI innings, including three centuries and thirteen fifties, he’s proven to be a reliable asset. His T20I record is even more impressive, boasting 3,313 runs at an average of 48.72. As captain of Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League, Rizwan has demonstrated his leadership acumen, leading the team to notable success.
Meanwhile, Agha Salman has been in top form, particularly during Pakistan’s recent Test series against England, where he excelled with the bat. His inclusion in the leadership team reflects the PCB’s focus on nurturing multifaceted players in key roles.
