Rizwan's Leadership Brings Downfall; Captaincy Replacements For Pakistan In ODIs

Anurag Dasgupta

Rizwan captaincy replacements [Source: AFP Photo]Rizwan captaincy replacements [Source: AFP Photo]

Nothing is going right for Pakistan cricket at the moment. The team has been going through a dark phase, following their elimination from the Champions Trophy group stage, and has not achieved much success in white-ball cricket. The team has been experiencing a merry-go-round of captains in ODI cricket, and from Babar Azam to Mohammad Rizwan, the captaincy changes have not brought any positive fortunes.

When Rizwan was made the captain, the expectations were high, but things have gone downhill under his leadership, and so much so that his captaincy is now under threat. Earlier there were reports that PCB has decided to take a call on Rizwan’s captaincy, and could appoint a new leader.

However, on Monday, they took a U-turn and stated that no such decision has been taken. However, knowing Pakistan cricket, anything could happen.

Why Rizwan could be sacked by PCB?

8 out of last 9 ODIs lost: Rizwan's tenure has been marred with inconsistency and the results are in front of us. He has lost 8 out of the last 9 ODI matches, and has been poor tactically when it comes to captaincy.'

Batting hampered by captaincy: Since the start of Champions Trophy 2025, his batting average is 23.75, and his strike rate is a meagre 65, which showcases that captaincy has taken a toll on his batting.

Who could be the next captain if PCB indeed decides to sack Rizwan.

1) Agha Salman

The most obvious choice to replace Rizwan as the ODI captain, Agha Salman, is already the leader of the T20I team and has the backing of the Pakistan Cricket Board. He replaced Babar as the T20I leader, and while the captaincy stint has been underwhelming, one argument that could go in his favour is that he is leading a young team, and perhaps a bit more time needs to be given.

Moreover, he is the only player in the team who has a secured ODI place (batting at number 5), and PCB would want a leader who has done well in the format, and Agha Salman falls in that category.

2) Shaheen Afridi

Shaheen Afridi became Pakistan’s T20I captain for just one series, but after a poor performance, he was removed from the role. It felt like an injustice since the pacer hardly got five matches to get his combination right.

Shaheen has an incredible track record as a T20 leader in the PSL, having won multiple tournaments as the captain of the side, and he could bring the same expertise in the ODIs as well. The pacer has won 26 matches in PSL, and has a win percentage of 55.31.

However, what Shaheen needs is full backing from the PCB, which he didn’t get last time. He has been with the squad for a longer period than Agha Salman, and knows all the strengths, and weaknesses, and he could work on it as the captain.

3) Saud Shakeel

Rumours are that Saud Shakeel is one of the front-runners to replace Rizwan as the captain of the side. However, as compared to Agha salman, and Shaheen Afridi, he should be the last in line to become the next Pakistan skipper. 

However, what goes in Saud Shakeel’s favour is the fact that in 2019, he led Pakistan's emerging side and had a hundred percent win record, a feat which no other captain achieved. Moreover, he has also played the role of Test vice-captain, and has already tasted what it feels to lead the Pakistan side. He has also led Sindh in T20 matches, and has a win percentage of 58, and if PCB want an out of the box idea, they should go to Saud Shakeel for the captaincy role.