‘He stepped aside himself’: Shaheen Afridi finally reveals truth behind Rizwan’s captaincy exit

Islamabad: Pakistan’s ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi disclosed that he was appointed to the role only after former skipper Mohammad Rizwan decided to step down. Rizwan, who had led Pakistan to ODI series wins against South Africa and Australia last year, faced criticism after the team’s early exit from the Champions Trophy earlier this year.

Afridi said he accepted the responsibility after speaking directly with Rizwan and securing his consent. “I took this responsibility from the Pakistan Cricket Board after discussing the matter with Rizwan,” Afridi told reporters ahead of the ODI series against Sri Lanka. “Rizwan was the only person I had a discussion with. He decided himself that he would make way for me, and that is how things worked out,” he added.

The 25-year-old pacer, who briefly served as Pakistan’s T20I captain after Babar Azam’s resignation in 2023, said he holds no ego in leadership and seeks advice from former captains. Afridi’s earlier stint lasted less than six months and covered only one T20I series against New Zealand before Babar was reinstated.

Afridi also spoke about team unity and the importance of backing players out of form. “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. As a team, we have to click together,” he said.

He praised Rizwan as Pakistan’s top ODI run-scorer since 2023 and reiterated his intent to support both Babar Azam and Rizwan. “We are trying to back players who are not in form so that they can do well in future matches. Babar can falter in one or two matches, but he is in good touch and I hope he scores a hundred soon,” Afridi noted.

While the Pakistan Cricket Board has not yet confirmed how long Afridi will serve as captain, the fast bowler expressed his wish to lead the national side into the 2027 World Cup.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan’s left-arm pacer and current ODI captain, clarified on Monday that his appointment was made only after Mohammad Rizwan stepped down voluntarily from the position. Rizwan, who had captained Pakistan to significant ODI series victories against South Africa and Australia, came under fire after Pakistan’s premature exit from the Champions Trophy.

Afridi explained that he consulted only Rizwan before accepting the captaincy offer from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He recounted that Rizwan encouraged him to take the responsibility. “I took this responsibility from the PCB after discussing the matter with Rizwan. He decided himself that he would make way for me,” Afridi said.

Previously, Afridi took over the T20I captaincy after Babar Azam’s resignation following the 2023 ODI World Cup but was replaced after one series against New Zealand. Despite his short tenure, Afridi maintained a team-first approach and praised Rizwan and Babar as essential members of Pakistan’s core group.

The fast bowler emphasised collective responsibility, saying improvement must come from the entire team. He acknowledged Rizwan’s consistency, noting that the wicketkeeper-batter remains Pakistan’s highest ODI run-scorer since 2023.

Afridi added that the management is focusing on nurturing out-of-form players, stressing the importance of long-term confidence. He also praised Babar Azam’s batting form and expressed hope for a strong comeback.

Afridi concluded by expressing his ambition to continue leading Pakistan’s ODI side and to take the team into the 2027 Cricket World Cup.