Babar, Shaheen or Agha Salman: Analysis reveals Rizwan's ideal successor as Pakistan's ODI captain

Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi [Source: AFP]

According to emerging reports, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan might not be retained as Pakistan's ODI captain. The PCB has yet to unveil Pakistan's squad for the South Africa series, and if reports are to be believed, Babar Azam, Agha Salman and Shaheen Afridi are the frontrunners to replace Rizwan as the captain. 

Mohammad Rizwan had a roller-coaster ride as Pakistan's ODI captain. Although he had an outstanding start, leading the Men in Green to a historic series win in Australia. However, his fate turned upside down in really quick time, with Pakistan losing multiple assignments, apart from making a group-stage exit from the 2025 Champions Trophy. 

So, with doubts looming over Rizwan's captaincy future, here we analyse to find who among Babar, Agha and Shaheen will be the most perfect candidate to replace him. 

Babar Azam

(Babar Azam's ODI captaincy record for Pakistan)

Factors that support Babar's return as ODI captain

• Overall good track record as ODI captain: Babar Azam is one of the four ODI captains to record a win percentage of more than 60 among those who have led Pakistan in at least 30 matches in the format. 26 wins in 43 ODIs, with a win-to-loss ratio of 1.730, suggest that Babar Azam was an overall successful ODI captain for Pakistan. 
• Experience of leading in the format: Among the active players, Babar Azam has the most ODI appearances as a captain for Pakistan. While he has previously led Pakistan in 43 matches, his competitors, Shaheen Afridi and Salman Ali Agha, have yet to captain the side in the format. 

Factors that oppose Babar's return as ODI captain

• Poor batting form: Babar Azam used to be Pakistan's best batter across formats. During his captaincy, Babar struck 2370 runs at a magnificent average of 60.77. However, his batting form has massively dipped this year, as Babar has managed only 334 runs at a modest average of 30.36 and a strike rate of 78.40. So, a big question arises: how can a player, whose own batting form is in tatters, be asked to lead the team? Such a move will burden Babar Azam with sky-high expectations and destabilise the team structure. 

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Shaheen Afridi

Factors that support Shaheen's appointment as ODI captain

• In-form player, a sure-shot starter in 2027 World Cup: Shaheen Afridi is undoubtedly Pakistan's best fast bowler in white-ball cricket. The left-arm seamer has bagged 131 wickets in just 66 ODIs, recording an average of 24.28 and a strike rate of 25.7. Although he has been in and out of the Test and T20I teams, Shaheen has been magnificent in ODIs of late, scalping 69 wickets in 34 matches since 2023. So, considering his red-hot form and the seam-friendly conditions in South Africa, Shaheen is a certain starter in Pakistan's playing XI and hence can be handed over the captaincy responsibilities. 

Factors that oppose Shaheen's appointment as ODI captain

Proven failure as T20I captain

(Shaheen's record as T20I captain)

• Although Shaheen Afridi has not led Pakistan in ODIs, the fast bowler was named the T20I skipper for a brief period. However, Shaheen, who has won the PSL for Lahore Qalandars, failed to replicate a similar success for the national side. 
• So, his past record as the Pakistan captain might emerge as a thorn in his path to return as the skipper. 

Workload management

• Shaheen Afridi is an active player in all three formats and plays ODI, Tests and T20Is for Pakistan. Being a fast bowler, it will increase his workload significantly if Pakistan hand him over the captaincy responsibilities. He has had a few injury setbacks recently, and his workload could be one of the reasons why Pakistan might refrain from appointing him as their captain in the format. 

Agha Salman

Factors that support Agha Salman's appointment as ODI captain

Good record as T20I captain

(Salman Agha's T20I captaincy record)

• Agha Salman has not led Pakistan in ODI cricket; however, he has been impressive as the skipper in T20 Internationals. In 30 T20Is, Salman has led Pakistan to 17 wins, also powering them to the final of the Asia Cup. 
• During his tenure, Pakistan have won T20I series against Bangladesh and West Indies besides clinching the title in the UAE Tri-Series. 

A key member of ODI team

• Agha Salman has had a magnificent ODI career so far. As a reliable middle-order batter, Salman has amassed 1065 runs at 5 and 6 in the 50-over cricket. Currently, he is the backbone of Pakistan's middle order and hence can be trusted with the leadership responsibility. 

Factors that oppose Agha Salman's appointment as ODI captain

Failure to win the Asia Cup

• Fans in Pakistan don't take it lightly when their team loses to India, especially in cricket. This is the reason why Agha Salman faced the wrath of the fans following Pakistan's three consecutive defeats against their arch-rivals in the 2025 Asia Cup. Although his overall T20I record as the captain is satisfactory, his failure in the Asia Cup, particularly against India, is something that might not help his cause. 

Final thought: Who should replace Rizwan as Pakistan's new ODI captain?

Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Agha Salman each have their own ebbs and flaws as potential successors to Mohammad Rizwan. However, with Babar Azam not living up to the expectations with the bat and Shaheen Afridi's workload and past record going against him, the ideal move for Pakistan will be to appoint Agha Salman as their ODI captain if Rizwan is sacked. 

This will ensure they have the same player as their skipper in both the white-ball formats. Salman has a good rapport with the current Pakistani think tank and can strategically choose his assets for T20Is and ODIs. More importantly, the PCB can marginalise internal conflicts and team politics by having the same player as their ODI and T20I captain, as the move can potentially help the Men in Green redeem themselves in white-ball cricket. 

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