Home / Sports / Shaheen Reveals Rizwan Backed His ODI Captaincy Appointment
Shaheen Reveals Rizwan Backed His ODI Captaincy Appointment
11 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Shaheen Shah Afridi claims he only accepted ODI captaincy after Rizwan agreed to step down
- Rizwan was the only person Shaheen discussed the captaincy with before accepting it
- Shaheen was also appointed T20I captain in 2023 but was removed after just one series
In a recent development, Pakistan's ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has disclosed that he only took on the captaincy role after his predecessor Mohammad Rizwan agreed to step down. Shaheen stated that he had a discussion with Rizwan, who then decided to relinquish the captaincy, paving the way for Shaheen's appointment.
Shaheen was also briefly appointed as the national T20I skipper in 2023, but was dismissed from the post after just one series against New Zealand. Babar Azam, the former captain, was then reinstated in the role.
Despite the captaincy changes, Shaheen emphasized that he has no ego and is open to seeking advice from former captains. He expressed his intention to back Babar and Rizwan, whom he considers key players in the team with extensive experience.
As the new ODI captain, Shaheen believes that the entire team must take responsibility for the team's performance, rather than relying solely on individual players like Babar, Rizwan, or Fakhar. He is hopeful that Babar, who has been in good form, will soon score a century.
Shaheen also revealed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not given him a specific timeline for his captaincy, but he is looking forward to leading the team in the 2027 World Cup.
