Amir Defends Rizwan After Captaincy Change
Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has come forward to support Mohammad Rizwan, who recently lost his position as ODI captain. Amir has voiced his concerns about the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to replace Rizwan despite his commendable overseas performance.
On Monday, the PCB announced that Shaheen Afridi would take over as the new ODI captain, a move that has sparked discussions in the cricket community. Amir labeled the decision “unfair,” emphasizing that Rizwan deserved more time as captain. Shaheen is set to lead Pakistan in a three-match ODI series against South Africa in Faisalabad from November 4 to 8. At just 25 years old, Shaheen has played 66 ODIs, 92 T20Is, and 32 Tests but has limited experience in leading teams in one-day formats.
Under the guidance of Mike Hesson, who became the white-ball head coach in May, Rizwan led Pakistan in only one ODI series against the West Indies. Amir expressed doubts about Rizwan’s fair treatment, pointing out that he had successfully guided the team to victories in places like South Africa and Australia—accomplishments that many previous captains could not achieve. “Rizwan was not a bad captain. We should remember his successes,” Amir said.
During his time as captain, Rizwan led Pakistan in 20 ODIs, achieving nine wins and suffering 11 losses. However, the team did not perform well in the ICC Champions Trophy and faced defeats against New Zealand and the West Indies, which likely contributed to the PCB’s decision.
Sources suggest that the replacement was influenced not just by Hesson but also by members of the selection committee, including Aaqib Javed and former captains like Sarfaraz Ahmed and Misbah-ul-Haq.
While the PCB hasn’t provided an official reason for the leadership change, insiders believe Hesson’s input was a crucial factor. There are also claims that some board members were uncomfortable with Rizwan’s frequent incorporation of religious discussions within the team, which made some players uneasy.
Rizwan has been known for openly expressing his faith and has even organized prayers for his teammates. Despite his leadership bringing historic wins away from home, the team’s early exit from the Champions Trophy and subsequent losses seem to have led to his dismissal.
Amir argues that one bad performance should not overshadow the captain’s past achievements. He stated, “Captaincy should not be based on just one series. Stability is crucial in cricket; it takes time to build a good captain.” Amir also criticized the PCB for how they handled the transition, suggesting that Shaheen could have started as vice-captain instead.
In summary, Amir believes that Rizwan’s contributions and leadership qualities merit further consideration, instead of being abruptly replaced for a few disappointing performances.
