Mohammad Rizwan replaced Babar Azam as the white-ball captain of the Pakistan cricket team and his first assignment will be the six-match series against Australia next month.
Babar Azam’s time as Pakistan’s white-ball captain had its ups and downs. He’ll always be remembered for the historic win against India in the 2021 T20 World Cup and for taking Pakistan to the 2022 T20 World Cup final. But since then, it’s been a rough ride.
Pakistan fell short in the 2024 T20 World Cup and couldn’t make it past the group stage in the 2023 ODI World Cup. After a brief stint with Shaheen Afridi at the helm, Babar returned as captain—only to be replaced now by Rizwan.
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For fans, it’s a bittersweet shift. Babar isn’t out of the picture, though; he’s back in the squad, along with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, for the Australia series. But the bigger question remains: Can Rizwan turn the tide for Pakistan’s white-ball game?
Rizwan’s Statement: “Not a King, but a Servant”
Rizwan’s first press conference as captain was full of humility—and a subtle edge. When asked about his approach to leadership, Rizwan gave an interesting response. He emphasized that he’s not here to be a “king” but to serve his team. In his words, “If I start considering myself a king as captain, then everything will fall apart.”
This could be a subtle dig at Babar, who fans and teammates often refer to as “king.” While Rizwan didn’t directly target his predecessor, it’s hard not to read between the lines. His approach seems to be less about the spotlight and more about teamwork and grit. It’s clear Rizwan is already setting a different tone, one that puts service over status.
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Salman Ali Agha’s New Role
The squad for the upcoming tours has another notable shift. Salman Ali Agha has been named vice-captain across all four white-ball squads. When Rizwan sits out the T20I series in Zimbabwe, Salman will lead the team.
Rizwan and Salman represent a fresh perspective, and both have strong records in domestic cricket and solid reputations as team players.
As we head into the series, all eyes will be on Mohammad Rizwan. His journey from dependable wicketkeeper to team leader is an inspiring one, and now he’s got the chance to write his own story.
Whether he’ll be able to elevate Pakistan’s game remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure—this chapter in Pakistan cricket is just getting started, and Rizwan seems more than ready for the challenge.
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