Amid the ongoing captaincy debate and the Pakistan cricket team’s struggles, one name is emerging as the front-runner for the captaincy across all formats — Mohammad Rizwan.
Known for his consistency with the bat and calm demeanor on the field, Rizwan has become a hot contender to replace the current captains, Babar Azam (white-ball formats) and Shan Masood (Test format).
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently announced five teams for the national Champions Cup, but the notable omission of Babar and Shan from captaincy roles raised eyebrows.
Rizwan, along with Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Haris, and Saud Shakeel, has been named as a captain for this tournament. This decision has fueled speculation that Rizwan could soon be Pakistan’s all-format captain.
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The Case for Mohammad Rizwan as Captain
It’s no secret that Rizwan has been one of Pakistan’s most consistent players over the past few years. His form with the bat has been exceptional, and he’s been reliable across all formats.
In 2023, Rizwan scored 1,312 runs across 30 innings at an impressive average of 62.47. His performance in 2024 has also been top-notch, with 926 runs at an average of 57.87.
Beyond his batting, Rizwan’s leadership skills stand out. He has experience captaining at both domestic and international levels, having led Pakistan in a two-match Test series in New Zealand during the 2020-21 season. Though Pakistan lost the series 0-2, Rizwan performed admirably with the bat, scoring three half-centuries in four innings.
Where Rizwan truly shines as a leader is in domestic cricket and the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He has captained Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to multiple domestic titles and transformed Multan Sultans into one of the most successful franchises in PSL history.
Under Rizwan’s leadership, the Sultans won their maiden PSL title in 2021 and have qualified for the final in each of the next three seasons. Rizwan’s calm, Dhoni-like approach has earned him praise, and his track record speaks volumes about his leadership abilities.
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Addressing the Criticism
Despite his credentials, Rizwan’s name has sparked some controversy. There have been whispers about his involvement in team politics, though these rumors remain unverified and seem to come from certain segments of the media looking to stir things up.
It’s important to focus on facts — and the fact is, Rizwan has shown his ability to lead teams successfully without any confirmed reports of internal issues. On the other hand, Rizwan’s supporters believe he should have been handed the captaincy immediately after Babar Azam stepped down following the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Rizwan’s Consistency as a Player
When looking at potential captains, it’s not just leadership that matters — consistency as a player is crucial too. Rizwan has been Pakistan’s standout batter. He was the highest run-scorer in the recent series against Bangladesh, accumulating 294 runs in four innings despite Pakistan’s 2-0 loss.
His ability to perform under pressure is one of his greatest assets. Rizwan doesn’t just anchor innings; he plays with intent, often guiding Pakistan out of tricky situations.
One of the qualities that sets Rizwan apart from other candidates is his calm demeanor. Pakistan cricket has seen its share of emotional captains, but Rizwan’s ability to stay composed, even in high-pressure moments, could bring much-needed stability to the team.
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