Why was Rizwan removed as Pakistan ODI captain — Pro-Palestine stance or refusal to promote betting apps?

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has once again reshuffled its leadership, appointing fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi as the ODI captain, replacing Mohammad Rizwan. This decision, announced has sparked controversy due to the underlying reasons reportedly influencing Rizwan’s removal.

According to sources cited by TimesofIndia.com, Rizwan was sacked not because of performance issues, but due to his ethical stance against promoting betting companies. While representing St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League, Rizwan had refused to wear a team jersey displaying a betting sponsor’s logo. His continued resistance towards endorsing such brands reportedly clashed with the PCB’s commercial agreements, leading to his dismissal.

Adding to the controversy, former captain Rashid Latif criticized the PCB’s decision, hinting at possible ideological bias. Latif questioned whether Rizwan’s vocal support for Palestine and his strong Islamic beliefs played a role in the board’s decision to replace him, calling the mindset of sidelining Islamic figures in leadership within an Islamic country “abysmal.”

Shaheen will now lead Pakistan in a three-match ODI series against South Africa from November 4 to 8 in Faisalabad. His appointment was finalized in a meeting attended by white-ball coach Mike Hesson, Director High Performance Aqib Javed, and selection committee members.

This captaincy shuffle is just the latest in Pakistan cricket’s ongoing leadership saga. Since 2023, the team has seen frequent captaincy changes across all formats, with players like Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Shan Masood, and Salman Ali Agha taking turns at the helm under different PCB regimes.

Such instability has drawn criticism from fans and experts alike, raising concerns about long-term planning and leadership consistency within the national team. (With inputs from Agencies)