Shaheen Afridi Replaces Rizwan as PCB Announces ODI Captaincy Change

The announcement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that Shaheen Shah Afridi will captain the men’s ODI side marks a bold turning point for Pakistan cricket. Afridi, already a match-winner with the ball, now steps into a leadership role, guiding what many hope will become a new era for Pakistan cricket.

Rizwan, the wicket-keeper batter, led Pakistan in 20 ODIs and delivered nine victories, a winning percentage of around 45. The board’s decision replaces him and puts Afridi in command ahead of the home 3-match series against South Africa at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad from November 4 to 8. The timing is intriguing and full of tension. What happens next may define the team’s immediate future.

Afridi’s transition to captaincy arrives not without context. He made his debut in 2018 and has been nothing short of remarkable since. He claimed phenomenal figures across formats, took a five-wicket haul in a World Cup match as a teenager, and collected top honours such as the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy (ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2021) for his outstanding performance in that season. He has 120 wickets in Tests, 100+ in T20Is, and a powerful presence that opponents fear. 

Now, with the job of captaincy added to his workload, the question is: will he pivot his game to manage the side and the moments? Will he lead from the front with the same intensity he uses with the new ball? The stakes are high.

In his one-off stint as T20I skipper (January 2024 in New Zealand), his side lost 4-1. Yet the experience of leadership, even in defeat, may have nudged the PCB to trust his temperament and vision. The selectors and coach Mike Hesson, along with High Performance Director Aqib Javed, met and made the decision in Islamabad. The selection committee clearly opted for fresh leadership.

So what does this mean for the batting unit and the fielding setup? And what about pace bowling management? Afridi has often been the spearhead of the attack, but now must think beyond his 4-5 overs. His leadership will test both his stamina and mindset. Could this be the birth of a Pakistan ODI leadership era built around youth, aggression, and renewal?

Shaheen’s fans and supporters have taken over social media. They believe it’s a good move for the Pakistan team. Afridi’s sheer energy when he runs in, his celebration, his leap, his fist-pump; it all creates theatre. That theatre now has added weight: he’s not just bowling, he’s leading. In the dressing room, the vibe will need to shift from singular heroics to shared responsibility. And for Pakistan cricket, the window for transformation is open.

That brings us to the South Africa series. A home crowd, three ODIs, the chance to imprint his authority. If he fails, questions will arise. If he succeeds, the team may ride this momentum into bigger tournaments. 

Regardless of the outcome, one thing is clear: Pakistan has hit the refresh button. New captain. New energy. New expectations. And so begins a new chapter under Shaheen’s watch.