The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has finally announced a white-ball captain for the team and its none other than Mohammad Rizwan. Salman Ali Agha will be deputy for the wicket-keeper batter.
After the below par performance in the T20 World Cup 2024, Babar Azam stepped down from the captaincy in the recent past, saying he wants to focus on his batting.
Mohammad Rizwan was the strongest contender to replace Azam in the role. The wicket-keeper batter is not a new to this role as he bags the experience of captaining various teams including Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
In 2021, we guided Multan Sultans to their first ever PSL title. The 32-year-old has won several titles with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa team in the domestic events. He recently captained Markhor in the Champions Cup and the team ended up playing the final of the tournament.
The right-handed batter has represented Pakistan in 74 ODIs and 102 T20Is so far, amassing 5,401 runs, including four centuries, while also achieving 143 dismissals as a wicketkeeper.
His first assignment as the captain will be leading the side against Australia and Zimbabwe.
Addressing the press conference, Rizwan said he is “honoured” and is keen to represent Pakistan in the white-ball format.
“I am deeply honoured to be appointed as Pakistan’s white-ball captain”
“Representing Pakistan on the global stage is the greatest privilege and to now be entrusted with leading such a talented and exciting group of players is a tremendous honour,” the 32-year-old Rizwan said in the PCB statement”
Rizwan also aimed to bring up young players to the screen and work on them
“Currently as I have gotten in, the selectors, team management and mentors are all on one page to work towards developing our young talent and that’s the best thing”
“It is our biggest priority to bring our young talent to the international level,” the newly appointed skipper said.
Last but not the least, Rizwan said it’s a great thing that there are different minds in the selection committee aiming to work the best for the Pakistan team.
He also said that all the 15 players in the team carry leadership qualities on their own.
“Yes, I am part of a group: the group of the whole Pakistan team, alhamdulillah. For me, as a captain, all 15 players of Pakistan are captains.”
“If I think of myself as a king while being captain, then everything’s wrong. In fact, a leader should be like a servant to the 15 players.”
The PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi also congratulated the newly-appointed captain and said he believes in Rizwan’s leadership skills.
“I want to extend my congratulations to Mohammad Rizwan on his appointment as Pakistan’s white-ball captain. I am confident that Rizwan’s leadership qualities, underpinned by his deep commitment and passion for the game, will help shape this talented team into a consistently successful unit.
“Rizwan has earned the respect of his peers and colleagues through his dedication and positive attitude, and I have no doubt that these qualities, combined with his game knowledge and performance, will inspire the next generation of Pakistan cricketers”
