In a significant development for Pakistan cricket, Mohammad Rizwan has been announced as the new captain for the national white-ball teams, succeeding Babar Azam. This transition comes as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled the squads for the upcoming tour of Australia, set to commence on November 4. With Rizwan taking the reins, he becomes the 31st captain in One Day Internationals (ODIs) and the 12th in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) for Pakistan.
Rizwan’s Leadership Journey
At 32 years old, Rizwan expressed his profound gratitude upon receiving this prestigious role. “I am deeply honoured to be appointed as Pakistan’s white-ball captain. Representing Pakistan on the global stage is the greatest privilege, and to now be entrusted with leading such a talented and exciting group of players is a tremendous honour,” he stated in an official PCB release.
Rizwan’s journey in white-ball cricket began in 2015, and he has since established himself as a vital player for Pakistan. He has participated in 74 ODIs and 102 T20Is, amassing 5,401 runs, which includes four centuries, while also making significant contributions as a wicketkeeper with 143 dismissals.
Pakistan’s Squads for Australia Tour
The upcoming tour includes three ODIs and three T20Is against Australia. The announced squads are as follows:
ODI Squad:
- Captain: Mohammad Rizwan
- Vice-Captain: Salman Ali Agha
- Aamir Jamal
- Abdullah Shafique
- Arafat Minhas
- Babar Azam
- Faisal Akram
- Haris Rauf
- Haseebullah (Wicketkeeper)
- Kamran Ghulam
- Mohammad Hasnain
- Muhammad Irfan Khan
- Naseem Shah
- Saim Ayub
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
T20I Squad:
- Captain: Mohammad Rizwan
- Vice-Captain: Salman Ali Agha
- Arafat Minhas
- Babar Azam
- Haris Rauf
- Haseebullah (Wicketkeeper)
- Jahandad Khan
- Mohammad Abbas Afridi
- Muhammad Irfan Khan
- Naseem Shah
- Omair Bin Yousuf
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Sufyan Moqim
- Usman Khan
Notable Changes
Babar Azam, alongside key pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, has been included in the squad for the Australian tour despite being dropped from the final two Tests against England. In a strategic move, Salman Ali Agha has been appointed as the vice-captain for all future ODIs and T20Is, showcasing the PCB’s commitment to fostering leadership within the team.
Upcoming Zimbabwe Tour
Following the Australian series, Pakistan will embark on a tour to Zimbabwe from November 24 to December 5, featuring three ODIs and three T20Is. During this series, Rizwan will rest under a workload management plan, with Agha stepping up as captain for the T20I side.
Zimbabwe Series Squads:
ODI Squad:
- Captain: Mohammad Rizwan
- Vice-Captain: Salman Ali Agha
- Aamir Jamal
- Abdullah Shafique
- Abrar Ahmed
- Ahmed Daniyal
- Faisal Akram
- Haris Rauf
- Haseebullah (Wicketkeeper)
- Kamran Ghulam
- Mohammad Hasnain
- Muhammad Irfan Khan
- Saim Ayub
- Shahnawaz Dahani
- Tayyab Tahir
T20I Squad:
- Captain: Salman Ali Agha
- Ahmed Daniyal
- Arafat Minhas
- Haris Rauf
- Haseebullah (Wicketkeeper)
- Jahandad Khan
- Mohammad Abbas Afridi
- Mohammad Hasnain
- Muhammad Irfan Khan
- Omair Bin Yousuf
- Qasim Akram
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Sufyan Moqim
- Tayyab Tahir
- Usman Khan
Conclusion
As Mohammad Rizwan steps into his new role as captain, fans and analysts alike will be keenly observing how his leadership influences the team dynamics and performance, particularly during the crucial matches against Australia. With a mix of seasoned players and emerging talents, the Men in Green are poised for an exciting chapter in their cricketing journey.
