Pakistan’s ODI captain Mohammad Rizwan is likely to be removed from the role of team captain as head coach Mike Hesson has called for a selection committee meeting to make some changes in the Pakistan setup. Probably, three players including former captain Babar Azam are contenders for this spot.
Pakistan is currently hosting South Africa for a two-match Test series, which will be followed by an ODI and T20I series. Shan Masood will remain Pakistan’s Test captain after strong support from Mohsin Naqvi. He has even given a strong start to the Men in Green in the WTC.
However, given Pakistan’s unfortunate performance in the 50-over format, speculations have been rife regarding the captaincy of former captain Mohammad Rizwan, who led Pakistan from October 2024, but was soon dropped from the T20I format and the captaincy was handed over from Mohammad Rizwan to Salman Ali Aga.
Mike Hesson writes to PCB chairman asking for a joint meeting of Pakistan cricket forces
Ever since Mike Hesson took over as the head coach of the Pakistan team, he has been taking some tough decisions on behalf of the team and so far they have paid off in a big way. Pakistan, who were eliminated from the domestic league stage of the Champions Trophy, reached the final of the Asia Cup 2025.
Mike Hesson has reportedly written to Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi asking him to arrange a joint meeting of both the selection and advisory committees to finalize the ODI captaincy and possibly take it back from Mohammad Rizwan before the South Africa series.
Mohammad Rizwan had a very poor performance in the Champions Trophy, where Pakistan were eliminated in the group stage without winning a single game. His form has only deteriorated under the wicketkeeper batsman and even he has had to struggle for form.
PCB confirms selection committee meeting will seal Mohammad Rizwan’s fate as ODI captain
The Pakistan Cricket Board was clear about retaining Masood as the Test captain and Salman Aga as the T20I captain, although some reports claimed that Shadab Khan would return as the captain of the Pakistan team in the shortest format of the game following his return from injury.
However, the ODI captaincy has been a major concern, as Mike Hesson is clearly not happy with Mohammad Rizwan and he is being swapped. The PCB has also reportedly agreed to a meeting of Pakistani forces. He forwarded Hesson’s letter to the PCB’s selection and advisory committee.
They have agreed to this and are scheduled to meet on October 20 to take a final decision on the ODI captaincy change, which is expected to be announced any time soon.
Meeting for ODI captain
– The PCB has confirmed that Mike Hesson and the selection committee will meet on October 20 to finalize the ODI captain. (Sohail Imran) pic.twitter.com/FnzPlWbnZd
– Sherry. (@CallMeSheri1_) 18 October 2025
Babar Azam returns as Pakistan ODI captain
After Pakistan’s disastrous exit from the 2023 ICC World Cup, veteran Pakistani cricketer Babar Azam was removed as the captain of the ODI team in November 2023. Before this he had led Pakistan for a long time.
Now, as discussions grow over Mohammad Rizwan’s replacement as ODI captain, the former great is back in contention with Pakistan T20I skipper Salman Aga and young fast bowler Shaheen Afridi.
Candidates for captaincy: Babar, Agha and Shaheen.
If Rizwan is no longer the captain, it will be difficult to retain his place in the ODI team. https://t.co/dTnQhKAT7W– Sohail Imran (@sohailimrangeo) 18 October 2025
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