Shaheen Afridi Replaces Mohammad Rizwan as Pakistan ODI Captain
In a major shake-up to Pakistan’s white-ball setup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sacked Mohammad Rizwan as ODI captain, appointing left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi as his replacement. The announcement came shortly after the first day of the ongoing Test match between Pakistan and South Africa in Rawalpindi — a match that both Rizwan and Afridi are currently playing.
The PCB did not offer any explanation for Rizwan’s removal, nor did it mention him in the official statement. The decision was made following a meeting in Islamabad between the national selection committee and Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson.
Rizwan’s exit as captain appeared imminent after the PCB declined to back him publicly over the weekend, choosing instead to defer to a leadership review process initiated by Hesson. Sources suggest that while the move to replace Rizwan did not originate solely from the head coach, it had strong support from top PCB decision-makers.
Rizwan's Tenure and Sudden Exit
Rizwan, 33, had been considered the most stable among Pakistan's recent triad of format captains, which also includes Shan Masood (Tests) and Salman Ali Agha (T20Is). Since taking over the ODI captaincy last year, Rizwan led Pakistan to notable away series wins in Australia and South Africa in 2024 and averaged just under 42 with the bat — four runs shy of the team’s highest scorer during his tenure.
However, 2025 has brought less favorable results, most notably a group-stage exit from the Champions Trophy, hosted in Pakistan. That disappointing campaign appears to have sealed Rizwan's fate, despite his personal form remaining steady.
Afridi's Return to Leadership
Afridi, 25, now returns to leadership after a short-lived stint as T20I captain earlier in 2024, when Pakistan suffered a 4-1 series defeat to New Zealand. He was subsequently replaced by Babar Azam, also without official explanation.
Despite the rocky T20I captaincy episode, Afridi has remained in strong ODI form. He was Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in 2024 and has been pivotal in the team’s recent successes in Australia and South Africa. Since the 2023 ODI World Cup, no fast bowler from a Full Member nation has taken more wickets than Afridi — his 45 wickets coming at an average of more than two per game.
What Lies Ahead
Afridi’s first task as ODI captain will be a three-match home series against South Africa in Faisalabad next month. The PCB has yet to confirm the broader leadership structure or name a vice-captain for the format.
This change continues Pakistan’s recent trend of leadership instability across formats. With different captains for Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, the PCB faces the ongoing challenge of ensuring consistency and unity across formats while navigating performance pressures.
The decision signals a new chapter for Pakistan’s ODI setup, with Shaheen Afridi now entrusted with steering the side toward the 2027 World Cup.