Mohammad Rizwan Appointed as Pakistan’s White-Ball Captain, Salman Ali Agha Named Vice-Captain
Mohammad Rizwan has been appointed as Pakistan’s white-ball captain, while Salman Ali Agha has been named vice-captain. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the squads for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against Australia and Zimbabwe, scheduled from 4 November to 5 December. Furthermore, in a bid to manage Rizwan’s workload, he will be rested for the T20I series against Zimbabwe. Consequently, Salman Ali Agha will step up as the captain.
Rizwan’s Impressive Record and Leadership Role
Rizwan, who began his white-ball career in 2015, has since accumulated extensive experience, appearing in 74 ODIs and 102 T20Is, scoring a total of 5,401 runs, including four centuries. Behind the stumps, he has achieved 143 dismissals. His debut as Pakistan’s ODI captain will be on 4 November in Melbourne against Australia, marking him as the 31st ODI captain for Pakistan. Additionally, his leadership of the T20I team on 14 November in Brisbane will make him the 12th cricketer to captain Pakistan in this format.
Statements from Rizwan and PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi
Mohammad Rizwan’s Response:
“I feel tremendously honoured to receive the title of Pakistan’s white-ball captain. Furthermore, I consider it a privilege to represent Pakistan internationally, and I take immense pride in leading such a talented and dynamic group of players.”In addition, to follow in the footsteps of Pakistan’s legendary limited-overs captains is truly the icing on the cake.
Moreover, I am fully committed to giving my best in this role. Consequently, I look forward to collaborating closely with the selectors, coaches, and my talented teammates. Together, we will strive to meet and exceed the expectations of our fans and supporters. Notably, Pakistan cricket possesses enormous potential across formats, and I am confident that, with the support of God Almighty, we will build upon our recent success against England to achieve even greater heights in what promises to be a challenging season of white-ball cricket.”
PCB Chair Mohsin Naqvi’s Statement:
“On behalf of the PCB, I congratulate Mohammad Rizwan on his appointment as Pakistan’s white-ball captain. Rizwan’s qualities as a leader, combined with his commitment and passion for the sport, will undoubtedly help transform this talented team into a consistently successful unit.
Rizwan has earned the respect of his peers through his dedication and positive attitude, and I have every confidence that these attributes, along with his game knowledge and performance, will inspire the next generation of Pakistan cricketers. The PCB remains committed to supporting our players and staff and will stand by Rizwan as he embarks on this significant role. We are optimistic that, under his leadership, Pakistan’s white-ball cricket team will become a formidable force on the international stage once again.”
Pakistan’s Squads for Australia and Zimbabwe Tours
ODI Squad for Australia
Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi
T20I Squad for Australia
Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan
ODI Squad for Zimbabwe
Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir
T20I Squad for Zimbabwe
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan