![Rizwan ends rift rumours with Shaheen [Source: AFP Photo]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1762337070377_Shaheenrizwanrift.jpg?type=hq)
Rizwan ends rift rumours with Shaheen [Source: AFP Photo]
Mohammad Rizwan, the ex-Pakistan ODI captain, has refuted rumours of his rift with the new ODI leader, Shaheen Afridi. Ahead of the ODI series against the Proteas, Pakistan selectors abruptly removed Rizwan as the captain, and Shaheen was appointed the new skipper and which came as a shock.
Rizwan led Pakistan to back-to-back ODI series wins in Australia and South Africa, but the Champions Trophy group stage exit in February was the last straw as the selectors took a harsh call to sack him as the captain.
Rizwan's blunt reply on rift rumours with Shaheen
There were also rumours of Rizwan getting removed from the ODI team, but in the first game against South Africa, the former captain played a match-winning knock of 55 and steered his side past the winning line. After the game, Rizwan ended all the rift rumours by publicly showering praise on Shaheen as the captain of the team.
"I’ve always said that during my captaincy, every player is a leader, that’s why Shaheen was already a captain. Nothing has changed between me and Shaheen. Whoever becomes captain in the future will also already be a captain for me," Rizwan said during post-game presser.
Rizwan silences critics during Shaheen's first captaincy game
Shaheen led Pakistan for the first time in ODIs during the first game on Tuesday, and Rizwan played a huge part in a memorable win for the home side. Pakistan needed 264 runs to win the game, and they lost the plot in middle-overs.
On a tricky wicket, Rizwan batted with grit and determination as he scored 55 off 74 balls and alongside Salman Ali Agha, he steered Pakistan to victory. This knock was crucial for Rizwan as the batter was a subject of criticism and his place in the ODIs was under scrutiny. However, he played a match-winning knock to silence his critics.
