Renowned all-rounder Shahid Afridi has shared his thoughts on the recent appointment of Mohammad Rizwan as the captain of Pakistan’s white-ball cricket team. Afridi also commented on the controversy surrounding veteran batsman Fakhar Zaman, who was omitted from the centrally contracted players list and excluded from the squads for the tours of Australia and Zimbabwe.
On October 27, Mohammad Rizwan was officially announced as the new captain for Pakistan’s white-ball team, with Salman Ali Agha stepping in as his deputy. He takes over from Babar Azam, who stepped down from the captaincy.
In a post on his official X account, Afridi praised the Pakistan Cricket Board for choosing Rizwan as skipper. He expressed confidence in Rizwan’s ability to meet the expectations of Pakistani cricket fans.
Afridi stated, “If you’re looking for a captain who demonstrates strategy, courage, positivity, energy, and passion, Rizwan is the one. I’m delighted that @TheRealPCB has given him this important role. I have complete faith that he will advance this white-ball team and fulfill the high hopes of those eager to see Pakistan cricket flourish.”
Regarding Fakhar Zaman, Afridi emphasized the need to harness the talents of this gifted player. Zaman’s recent exclusion from the central contracts and the white-ball squad was partly due to a controversial tweet questioning Babar Azam’s omission, along with failing a fitness test, as explained by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi during a press conference.
Afridi advocated for Zaman’s return, stating that he possesses the ability to lead Pakistan to victories across matches, series, and tournaments. He remarked, “Let’s ensure we maximize the potential of this talented match-winner. Engaging with him is vital, especially at this critical stage of his career. He has the capability to guide us to success.”
In a video released by the PCB, Rizwan reflected on his new role as white-ball captain, describing it as an honor. He expressed, “Representing our nation on an international platform is a tremendous privilege, and becoming captain is something truly special.
It’s hard to articulate the level of honor I feel. I aim to honor my predecessors in two ways: first, by respecting all my previous captains, and second, by recognizing that they represent the hopes of 24-25 crore people. It’s a dual challenge—an honor and a test of how the team embraces this transition. Inshallah, I will strive to find the right balance.”