Why was Mohammad Rizwan removed from captaincy? Shaheen Afridi Takes Over

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Why was Mohammad Rizwan removed from captaincy? Shaheen Afridi Takes Over: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made a major and surprising decision on October 20, removing Mohammad Rizwan as the ODI captain and appointing fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi in his place. This decision marks the third captaincy change in a year, creating a stir in Pakistani cricket circles. The question is why was Rizwan stripped of the captaincy and why was Shaheen reassigned?

Main Reasons for Removing Mohammad Rizwan from the Captaincy

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Mohammad Rizwan took over the captaincy after Babar Azam's resignation last October, but his tenure lasted only a year. The PCB's drastic move was prompted by the following

1. Disappointing Performance in the 2025 Champions Trophy

The biggest reason for the captaincy change was Pakistan's dismal performance in the 2025 Champions Trophy. The team finished last in Group A, behind India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. This performance clearly demonstrates that the team, under Rizwan's leadership, has failed to deliver the expected results in major tournaments. According to the PCB, this poor performance was the main reason for the immediate action.

2. Failure to deliver results and lack of consistency

Although Rizwan won some bilateral series as captain (such as a historic 2-1 win in Australia and a 3-0 home win over South Africa), the team's performance in important international tournaments remained unsatisfactory. The PCB wanted immediate stability and success in the 50-over format, which was lacking during Rizwan's tenure.

Also Read: Why India Batting Flopped Against Australia in the 1st ODI

Reasons for appointing Shaheen Shah Afridi as captain

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Immediately after the removal of Mohammad Rizwan, the PCB decided to appoint 25-year-old Shaheen Shah Afridi as captain. This appointment was made following a meeting in Islamabad. The PCB's long-term vision for Shaheen Shah Afridi includes the following factors

1. Future investment and new energy

Shaheen Shah Afridi is known for his fast bowling, passion, and aggressive attitude. The PCB views him as an important investment for the future. The board hopes that Shaheen's leadership will bring new momentum and energy to the team, especially after the disappointment of the 2025 Champions Trophy.

2. Seeking Stability in the 50-Over Format

Frequent changes in captaincy have led to instability in the team. By handing over the captaincy to Shaheen, the PCB wants to provide long-term stability in the 50-over format, allowing the team to better prepare for future international commitments.

3. Confidence of the Selection Committee and Coach

A PCB release, quoted by NDTV Sports, stated that the decision was taken at a meeting of the selection committee, which also included limited-overs head coach Mike Hesson. This demonstrates that the team management and coaching staff have full confidence in Shaheen's leadership skills.

Shaheen Afridi First Challenge: Shaheen will begin his captaincy duties next month with the three-match ODI series against South Africa, which will be played in Faisalabad on November 4, 6, and 8. All eyes will now be on Shaheen to see how he handles the team in a pressure-filled environment and whether he can lead Pakistan cricket to a new era of success.

Also Read: Top 5 Batsmen with the Most ODI Runs in India vs Australia History

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