Weeks ahead of Pakistan’s ODI series against South Africa starting on November 4, the Pakistan Cricket Board on Monday appointed fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi as the ODI captain. Mohammad Rizwan was sacked after a meeting between head coach Mike Hesson and the selection committee in Islamabad.
Shaheen will lead Pakistan in the three-match ODI series against South Africa in Faisalabad from November 4 to 8. The PCB made the announcement soon after the opening day of the ongoing Test between the two sides in Rawalpindi. Notably, the board did not mention the reason behind the removal of Mohammad Rizwan.
Mohammad Rizwan was removed from the post of ODI captain amid poor form.
According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, head coach Mike Hesson had requested chairman Mohsin Naqvi to hold a meeting with the selection and advisory committee to decide on the new leadership.
The move was not initiated by Hesson alone but was strongly supported by senior PCB officials. The final decision was taken in Islamabad after discussions between Hesson and the selection panel.
Rizwan began his captaincy with Pakistan leading ODI series wins over Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. However, the team’s performances declined in recent months, winning only one of its last nine ODIs and going winless in the Champions Trophy campaign.
Mohammad Rizwan waves Palestine flag – Rashid Latif criticizes Mike Hesson
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has expressed concern over the removal of Mohammad Rizwan from the post of ODI captain. The former wicketkeeper-batsman also said that Mike Hesson did not like Rizwan carrying the Palestine flag.
“I learned that Rizwan is no longer the captain. If he waved the Palestine flag, is that the reason you removed him from the captaincy? It seems this mentality has developed – that in an Islamic country, a non-Islamic captain will take over.”
“Mike Hesson gave these instructions. Maybe he didn’t appreciate our culture. He was in the dressing room – why can’t I understand these people? They have a group of five or six members who are determined to destroy our culture.”
According to Rashid Latif, Mohammad Rizwan has been removed from the captaincy because he spoke openly for Palestine and Mike Hesson did not like the culture he brought to the dressing room.pic.twitter.com/YUoKfsqz8q
– Hassan Abbasian (@HassanAbbasian) 20 October 2025
Shaheen Shah Afridi last led Pakistan in the T20 series in New Zealand
Pakistan’s T20I team, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, suffered a 4–1 series defeat against New Zealand before he was replaced by Babar Azam in January 2024. Now he has another chance to lead the ODI team. The left-handed batsman will be expected to continue his role till the 2027 World Cup.
After Pakistan’s heavy defeat to India in the Asia Cup 2025, where Salman Aga faced criticism, Afridi is also a strong contender to take over the T20I captaincy.
As ODI captain, Rizwan averaged around 42 runs per innings. Under his leadership, Pakistan achieved ODI series wins in Australia and South Africa in 2024, but their form subsequently declined, including an early exit in the domestic Champions Trophy.
Shaheen was Pakistan’s top wicket-taker last year and played a key role in their series wins in South Africa and Australia. Since the 2023 World Cup, no fast bowler from a Full Member country has taken more wickets than Afridi’s 45.
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