In a surprising move, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi appointed wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan as the captain of Pakistan’s white-ball cricket team for the upcoming series against Australia.
🔸 Mohammad Rizwan named captain, Salman Ali Agha deputy
🔸 Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah return
🔸 Domestic performers rewardedICYMI, Pakistan announced their squads for the upcoming white-ball series against Australia and Zimbabwe ➡ https://t.co/3MrwneIChd pic.twitter.com/6QmuSSnXPA
— ICC (@ICC) October 27, 2024
The announcement was made at a press conference in Lahore, where Naqvi extended his congratulations to Rizwan, saying, “I want to extend my congratulations to Mohammad Rizwan on his appointment as Pakistan’s white-ball captain. I am confident that Rizwan’s leadership qualities, along with his deep commitment and passion for the game, will help shape this talented team into a consistently successful unit.
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“Rizwan has earned the respect of his peers and colleagues through his dedication and positive attitude. I am certain these qualities, combined with his game knowledge and performance, will inspire the next generation of Pakistan cricketers. The PCB remains committed to supporting our players and staff, and we will continue to stand by Rizwan as he takes on this important role. We are optimistic that under his leadership, Pakistan’s white-ball cricket team will once again become a formidable force on the international stage.”
Naqvi also announced the appointment of Salman Ali Agha as the vice-captain for Pakistan’s white-ball formats.
This decision followed the recent step-down of former white-ball captain Babar Azam, who chose to focus more on his performance. “By stepping down, I will gain clarity moving forward and focus more energy on my game and personal growth,” the 29-year-old batsman shared on X.
Additionally, Agha Salman will serve as interim captain for the T20I series against Zimbabwe, as Rizwan has been rested for the series.
Rizwan expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm for the new role, stating, “I am deeply honored 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 truly a tremendous honor. Joining the ranks of Pakistan’s legendary limited-overs captains is the icing on the cake.
“I am committed to giving my absolute best in this role and look forward to working closely with the selectors, coaches, and my incredibly talented teammates. Together, we aim to meet and exceed the expectations of our fans and supporters. Pakistan cricket has immense potential across all formats, and with God’s support, I am confident we will build on our recent successes to achieve even greater heights in what promises to be a challenging and busy season of white-ball cricket.”
Rizwan, aged 32, has demonstrated remarkable skill behind the stumps, catching nine critical catches and maintaining an exceptional record with nearly zero missed chances.