In a significant reshuffle within the Pakistan cricket team, Mohammad Rizwan has been appointed as the new captain for the white-ball formats. This announcement comes as Babar Azam steps down from the captaincy following a period of scrutiny and criticism. Rizwan’s first assignment in his new role will be the ODI and T20I series against Australia, starting on November 4.
The upcoming Australia tour of Pakistan will see the much-anticipated return of key players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah, all of whom were absent from Pakistan’s recent Test matches against England. Their inclusion is expected to bolster the team’s performance in both formats as they prepare to face a formidable Australian side.
Rizwan expressed his commitment to the role, stating, “I am dedicated to giving my absolute best and look forward to collaborating with the selectors, coaches, and my talented teammates. Together, we aim to meet and exceed the expectations of our fans and supporters.”
Salman Ali Agha has been named as the vice-captain for the white-ball series. He will lead the T20I squad against Zimbabwe, while Rizwan will take a break during that series.
In a notable absence, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq have been omitted from the squads, with PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi citing Zaman’s fitness issues and a controversial tweet opposing Babar’s removal from the Test side as factors in their exclusion. This decision has sparked discussions about player conduct and accountability within the team.
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The ODI series against Australia marks Pakistan’s first 50-over matches since the World Cup in India last year. This series is critical as it sets the stage for a busy schedule leading up to the Champions Trophy, which Pakistan will host in February 2025, marking the first ICC event in the country since the 1996 World Cup.
As the cricketing world turns its attention to the upcoming fixtures, the expectation is high for Rizwan and the returning stars to deliver strong performances against Australia and build momentum for the future.
Pakistan’s ODI Squad for Australia Tour:
– Mohammad Rizwan (captain, wicketkeeper)
– Aamer Jamal
– Abdullah Shafique
– Agha Salman
– Arafat Minhas
– Babar Azam
– Faisal Akram
– Haris Rauf
– Haseebullah Khan (wicketkeeper)
– Irfan Khan
– Kamran Ghulam
– Mohammad Hasnain
– Naseem Shah
– Saim Ayub
– Shaheen Shah Afridi
Pakistan’s T20I Squad for Australia Tour:
– Mohammad Rizwan (captain, wicketkeeper)
– Abbas Afridi
– Agha Salman
– Arafat Minhas
– Babar Azam
– Haris Rauf
– Haseebullah Khan (wicketkeeper)
– Irfan Khan
– Jahandad Khan
– Naseem Shah
– Omair Yousuf
– Sahibzada Farhan
– Shaheen Shah Afridi
– Sufiyan Muqeem
– Usman Khan
