As Pakistan prepares to kick off its ODI series against Australia on November 4, there’s a new leader at the helm—Mohammad Rizwan. Replacing Babar Azam, who decided to step down from the captaincy to focus on his batting, Rizwan is ready to lead Pakistan in white-ball cricket.
But is he ready for the huge challenge Australia brings to the table, especially on their home soil? Legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram believes Rizwan has the potential, but it won’t be an easy ride.
Rizwan’s Journey to Captaincy
Rizwan, who debuted in 2015, is no stranger to the pressures of international cricket. His experience spans 74 ODIs and 102 T20Is, with impressive stats including 5,401 runs and four centuries.
On November 4 in Melbourne, Rizwan will become Pakistan’s 31st ODI captain, and just ten days later, he’ll lead Pakistan in T20s, marking his place as the 12th T20I captain in the team’s history.
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For Rizwan, this new role is a mix of excitement and responsibility. Wasim Akram, who spoke about the upcoming series at an online press conference in Melbourne, praised Rizwan’s leadership qualities.
“He’s been captaining all his life, leading Multan Sultans in the PSL to one trophy and two finals,” Akram noted. “When it comes to leadership, he’s a seasoned campaigner.”
A Steep Learning Curve Awaits
But experience alone won’t make this an easy task. Playing against Australia on their turf is an enormous challenge. As Akram put it, “It’s his first tour [as captain], and a difficult one. Beating Australia in Australia, especially in ODI cricket, is no easy feat.”
Australia is known for its aggressive style and home advantage, which they rarely let slip. Akram was clear that in ODI cricket, Australia is as tough as they come.
He hinted that T20Is might be a different ball game with shorter, more unpredictable matches, but the three-match ODI series will be a true test of Rizwan’s leadership.
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Wasim Akram’s Advice
Wasim Akram had some words of advice for Rizwan and the team. He urged them to keep their heads down and focus on playing quality cricket. According to Akram, winning even one of the ODIs would be an accomplishment.
“Winning even one ODI out of three in Australia would be a big deal,” he said. It’s not just about victory; it’s about showing grit and determination in some of the most challenging conditions.
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