The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Sunday the appointment of wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan as Pakistan’s new white-ball captain, with Salman Ali Agha named as vice-captain.
In a PCB press release, Rizwan expressed his gratitude, calling the role “a tremendous honor.” He added, “Joining the ranks of Pakistan’s legendary limited-overs captains is the icing on the cake,” and pledged to work closely with selectors, coaches, and teammates to meet fans’ expectations.
The decision was revealed by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi during a press conference in Lahore, accompanied by Head of Selectors Aaqib Javed. Rizwan’s appointment came on the suggestion of head coach Gary Kirsten, supported by the selectors. Rizwan succeeds Babar Azam, who recently stepped down following Pakistan’s World Cup performance. Previously, Rizwan served as vice-captain and led Multan Sultans to a Pakistan Super League (PSL) title in 2021.
Rizwan, who debuted in 2015, has accumulated 5,401 runs in 74 ODIs and 102 T20Is, including four centuries and 143 dismissals. He is now Pakistan’s 31st captain overall and the 12th in the T20I format. His captaincy debut will be against Australia in a three-match ODI and T20I series next month. Salman will lead the T20I squad in Zimbabwe while Rizwan rests as part of a workload management plan.
Addressing fans, Rizwan emphasized his dedication to team unity, saying, “I’m not a king as captain, but a team member.” Naqvi also responded to questions on team discipline, mentioning left-handed batter Fakhar Zaman’s fitness and social media usage. Naqvi affirmed the PCB’s focus on discipline, stating, “It’s not just the tweets but Fakhar’s fitness that matters.”
Additionally, Naqvi praised Azam as a valuable asset to Pakistan cricket, noting, “Babar voluntarily stepped down.” He also highlighted the selection committee’s contribution to Pakistan’s recent success against England, underscoring a collaborative team management approach.
