Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir has strongly defended Mohammad Rizwan, questioning the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) resolution to strip him of the ODI captaincy regardless of his stable document abroad.
The PCB on Monday named Shaheen Afridi as Pakistan’s new ODI captainchanging Mohammad Rizwan, a call that has stirred debate throughout cricketing circles. Amir, recognized for his outspoken views on Pakistan cricket, termed the transfer “unfair” and insisted Rizwan deserved an extended run on the helm. Shaheen will lead Pakistan in a three-match ODI sequence towards South Africa in Faisalabad from November 4 to eight. Shaheen, 25, has performed 66 ODIs, 92 T20Is, and 32 Assessments for Pakistan, and whereas he has captained in franchise cricket, his expertise within the 50-over format stays restricted.
Since taking up as white-ball head coach in late Could, shortly after the Pakistan Tremendous League, Hesson has labored with Rizwan in just one ODI sequence – a three-match tour of the West Indies.
“I do not suppose Mohammad Rizwan has been handled pretty. Rizwan was not a nasty one-day captain. He led Pakistan to sequence wins in South Africa and Australia – one thing even a few of our greatest captains Could not obtain. We must always not have forgotten that,” Amir was quoted as saying by Geo Tremendous.
Rizwan captained Pakistan in 20 ODIs, profitable 9 and shedding 11 – a tenure that included a poor run within the ICC Champions Trophy and sequence defeats in New Zealand and the West Indies.
Reviews counsel that the choice to interchange Rizwan was influenced not solely by Hesson but additionally by members of the choice committee, together with Aaqib Javed, who heads the high-performance centre, and former captains Sarfaraz Ahmed and Misbah-ul-Haq, each serving on the PCB advisory board underneath Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
Whereas the PCB has not provided an official clarification for the change, insiders declare Hesson’s suggestion served because the “springboard” for the transfer. There are additionally rumors that some throughout the board have been uneasy about Rizwan’s rising tendency to carry faith into crew discussions, which reportedly made some gamers uncomfortable.
Rizwan has overtly expressed his religion on and off the sector, and based on teammate Imam-ul-Haq, he usually organized sermons at crew accommodations and inspired gamers to wish recurrently.
Underneath Rizwan’s management, Pakistan recorded historic away sequence victories in Australia and South Africa – feats that drew widespread reward. Nevertheless, the crew’s early Champions Trophy exit and subsequent losses to New Zealand and the West Indies seem to have prompted the PCB’s resolution.
Amir believes a poor run shouldn’t have outweighed Rizwan’s earlier successes. “Captaincy shouldn’t depend upon only one good or unhealthy sequence. We’re all chargeable for this – former cricketers and analysts included. We do not permit stability in our cricket. Captains are usually not made in a single day; it takes two to a few years to construct one. However right here, one unhealthy sequence is sufficient to change a captain. I do not suppose that is the proper name. Rizwan is a great captain and has that knack for management,” he mentioned.
The previous left-arm pacer additionally criticized the PCB’s dealing with of management transitions, suggesting the board ought to have eased Shaheen into the position. “If Shaheen needed to be made captain, he may have first been appointed vice-captain and his efficiency judged accordingly – particularly contemplating his health,” Amir mentioned.
– ends