I took ODI captaincy after discussing with Mohammad Rizwan: Shaheen Shah Afridi

Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has stated that he was appointed as the national team ODI skipper after Mohammad Rizwan decided to step down from his role. For the unversed, Rizwan led Pakistan to ODI series wins against South Africa and Australia last year.

However, Rizwan faced severe criticism after the team’s early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign. Eventually, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to appoint Shaheen Afridi as the new captain in the format. 

"I took this responsibility from the Pakistan Cricket Board after discussing the matter with Rizwan," Afridi told the reporters.

"Rizwan was the only person I had a discussion with, and I asked him how he felt about me accepting the captaincy. Rizwan decided himself he would make way for me and that is how things worked out," he added.

"Everyone has to take responsibility if you want to improve as a team. You can't keep on saying Babar, Rizwan or Fakhar will do it, it is as a team we have to click and take responsibility,” he stated.

"As far as Rizwan is concerned, he is Pakistan's top scorer in one-dayers since 2023. We are trying to back players who are not in form so that they can do well in future matches," he concluded. 

Notably, Afridi was appointed as the T20I captain after Babar Azam stepped down following Pakistan’s disappointing ODI World Cup 2023 campaign. However, Afridi's stint as captain was a short one as he managed to lead the team only in the five-match T20I series in New Zealand.

As an ODI captain, Afridi’s Pakistan defeated South Africa 2-1 at home most recently. Also, the side defeated Sri Lanka in the first ODI of the three-match series.

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