In a significant move by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohammad Rizwan has been appointed as Pakistan’s new captain for white-ball formats, with all-rounder Salman Ali Agha serving as vice-captain. Rizwan, renowned for his stellar wicket-keeping and batting, will lead Pakistan’s limited-overs squad, starting with the upcoming tours of Australia and Zimbabwe. This change comes after the recent resignation of former captain Babar Azam, who stepped down following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the ODI World Cup and other challenging series.
The PCB has expressed confidence in Rizwan’s leadership capabilities, considering his consistency and composure under pressure. Salman Ali Agha, known for his all-around performance in domestic cricket, is expected to be a vital support, contributing both leadership experience and on-field skills.
Upcoming Tours and Squad Details
Pakistan’s white-ball tour kicks off with an ODI and T20I series against Australia, followed by a similar series in Zimbabwe. Rizwan will be part of the ODI squad for both tours and will captain the T20I squad in Australia. However, he will not participate in the T20I series in Zimbabwe, where Salman Ali Agha will take the helm in his absence.
Upcoming Tours and Squad Details
Pakistan’s white-ball tour kicks off with an ODI and T20I series against Australia, followed by a similar series in Zimbabwe. Rizwan will be part of the ODI squad for both tours and will captain the T20I squad in Australia. However, he will not participate in the T20I series in Zimbabwe, where Salman Ali Agha will take the helm in his absence.
The Australia series opens with three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) scheduled as follows:
- Melbourne: November 4
- Adelaide: November 8
- Perth: November 10
This will be followed by three T20 Internationals (T20Is) in:
- Brisbane: November 14
- Sydney: November 16
- Hobart: November 18
Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi’s Return
Despite stepping down as captain, Babar Azam will be a part of the limited-overs squad for the Australian tour, alongside star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi. However, both players are set to rest during the Zimbabwe tour to manage their workload.
Squads Overview
ODI Squad for Australia:
Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
T20I Squad for Australia:
Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan.
ODI Squad for Zimbabwe:
Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir.
T20I Squad for Zimbabwe:
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, Salman Ali Agha, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan.
The Road Ahead for Pakistan
As Rizwan and Agha take up their new leadership roles, they carry the hopes of millions of Pakistani cricket fans. The PCB is optimistic that this new leadership will bring renewed vigor and competitive spirit to the national side, especially as they prepare for the ICC Champions Trophy defense. The board’s choice of Rizwan reflects their confidence in his ability to carry forward Pakistan’s positive momentum from the red-ball format into the limited-overs arena.
With a mix of experience and fresh talent, Pakistan’s squads for the Australia and Zimbabwe tours present a balanced lineup, aiming to secure a strong performance in both ODI and T20I formats. Fans will be eager to see how Rizwan’s leadership shapes Pakistan’s white-ball future.