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'Emotional, Cares For Pakistan': Ponting Seeks A Longer Rope For Rizwan As New Captain

Akshita Patel

Pakistan lost first ODI against Australia in Rizwan's first match as Pakistan captain [Source: @TheRealPCB/X.com]Pakistan lost first ODI against Australia in Rizwan's first match as Pakistan captain [Source: @TheRealPCB/X.com]

In the midst of a white-ball format series between Australia and Pakistan, former legend Ricky Ponting vouched for Mohammad Rizwan and requested PCB to give him a decent run before judging his leadership skills. This tour is Rizwan’s first assignment since he replaced Babar Azam as Pakistan’s limited overs format captain.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed Mohammad Rizwan as the white-ball captain last month after Babar Azam stepped down following Pakistan's early T20 World Cup exit. Rizwan has been an all format player for Pakistan and his seniority encouraged PCB to seal his candidacy.

Mohammad Rizwan gets support from Ricky Ponting

However, Rizwan’s tenure as Pakistan captain was shaky as his team lost the first ODI against Australia from a winning position. Ahead of the second ODI scheduled for November 8, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting defended Rizwan.

According to NDTV Sports, Ponting expressed his admiration for Rizwan's passionate and aggressive style of play and encouraged the PCB to allow him a decent run as captain, which would give the wicket-keeper the stability to fully showcase his leadership abilities.

"They're continually changing leaders, (Shaheen) Afridi one day, Babar one day, Rizwan another day. Lots of changes going on around their white-ball stuff. You don't like to see that instability. [Rizwan's] the sort of player that I love watching. Aggressive player that takes the game on, and wears his heart on his sleeve a little bit," Ponting said.

Despite the early loss against Australia, Ponting advised patience. He reflected on the need for continuity in leadership and noted that Rizwan’s visible emotional commitment on the field reflects a deep dedication to his team's success. He added:

"I reckon you can see he gets quite emotional out on the field, out on the ground as well, which I think is a good thing. It tends to show that you really care about what you're doing and what your team's trying to achieve."


"So the proof will be in the pudding. I mean, we won't know (until they) give him a decent run at it. They obviously feel he's the right man for here and now. So I think in a few months time, or maybe in a few weeks time, even here in Australia with the one-dayers, the T20Is coming up, we might have a better idea in three or four weeks time"

Rizwan eyes Sarfaraz Ahmed’s record in 2nd ODI

Ahead of the second ODI between Australia and Pakistan, the visitors captain Mohammad Rizwan has an opportunity to surpass Sarfaraz Ahmed in the list of most fifty plus scores registered by a Pakistani wicket-keeper in Australian soil. He is currently tied with Sarfaraz with 6 fifty plus scores. While Rizwan achieved the feat in 30 innings, Sarfaraz took just 27 innings.