In a dramatic improvement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has eliminated Mohammad Rizwan because the captain of the nationwide ODI group, appointing left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi as his substitute. The choice, introduced late on Monday (October 20), has sparked widespread debate inside Pakistan’s cricketing circles.
PCB’s Sudden Management Change
The PCB’s transfer comes lower than a yr after Rizwan was appointed as ODI captain following Babar Azam’s removing. Shaheen, who himself was relieved of T20I captaincy earlier this yr, now finds himself main Pakistan within the 50-over format. The abrupt change has raised questions in regards to the board’s decision-making and consistency in management technique.
Mike Hesson Reportedly Pushed for Rizwan’s Elimination
Based on a number of stories, Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson was a key affect behind the choice. Regardless of having labored with Rizwan for only one collection, Hesson reportedly pushed for the change, supported by members of the choice committee and PCB advisory board, together with former captains. Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed, and high-performance director Aaqib Javed.
Sources near the PCB revealed that Hesson’s suggestion was the “springboard” for Rizwan’s sacking after inner discussions in Islamabad.
Spiritual Overtones and Dressing Room Discomfort
Studies from PTI declare that some inside the PCB have been uneasy about Rizwan’s sturdy spiritual affect in group discussions. The wicketkeeper-batsman reportedly organized sermons in group accommodations and inspired gamers to wish 5 instances a day.
A board insider mentioned, “Some individuals within the PCB have been anxious about Rizwan involving faith an excessive amount of in cricket discussions, which made a couple of gamers uncomfortable.”
Rizwan’s Stand Towards Betting Sponsorships
Nevertheless, a separate report from The Instances of India suggests one more reason Rizwan’s refusal to advertise betting firms. The wicketkeeper allegedly knowledgeable PCB officers that he wouldn’t endorse or take part in promotions for surrogate betting manufacturers, which reportedly created friction with board sponsors.
A PCB supply was quoted as saying, “Rizwan was in opposition to the PCB’s collaboration with betting firms, and that didn’t sit properly with the officers.”
Rizwan’s Captaincy Document
Rizwan led Pakistan in 20 ODIs, profitable 9 and dropping eleven. His tenure noticed blended outcomes, together with a disappointing Champions Trophy marketing campaign and collection defeats in opposition to New Zealand and the West Indies.
Regardless of his average success price, many followers and former gamers have questioned the timing and reasoning behind his dismissal, viewing it as one other case of inner politics overshadowing cricketing advantage.
Shaheen Afridi’s New Problem
With Shaheen Afridi now on the helm, Pakistan’s ODI setup faces one other interval of transition. The younger pacer could have the twin duty of main from the entrance with the ball and rebuilding group morale amid rising scrutiny over PCB’s off-field choices.