In a major shake-up, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has removed Mohammad Rizwan from the role of ODI captain, announcing the decision on October 20. The 33-year-old wicketkeeper-batter has been replaced by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who will now lead Pakistan in the 50-over format.
While the PCB has not officially explained the reason behind the decision, a Times of India report has revealed that Rizwan’s removal is linked to his refusal to promote betting companies, which are among PCB’s key sponsors.
Refusal to Endorse Betting Companies
According to PCB sources, Rizwan made it clear that he would not endorse surrogate betting firms—a stance that reportedly didn’t sit well with the board’s commercial partners.
“Rizwan had informed the PCB that he wouldn’t endorse betting companies, which is the main reason behind his sacking. He was against the PCB’s collaboration with surrogate betting firms,” a PCB source told TOI.
This firm stand against commercial interests is now believed to be the primary factor behind his ouster as captain.
Palestine Flag Controversy Adds Fuel
The controversy deepened when former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif claimed that Rizwan’s public support for Palestine also contributed to the decision.
“There’s a rumour that Rizwan is no longer the captain. Just because he raised the Palestine flag, will you remove him as captain? There’s this mindset that in an Islamic country there will be a non-Islamic captain. This is Mike Hesson’s doing. He doesn’t like this culture in the dressing room. He wants this culture to end. We never had a problem be it Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saeed Anwar or Saqlain Mushtaq. Nobody raised any objection…,” Latif said on his YouTube channel Caught Behind.
These remarks have sparked a wider debate in the cricketing fraternity about politics, sponsorship, and faith in sports.
Mixed Results During His Captaincy
Rizwan’s tenure as ODI captain produced inconsistent results. He led Pakistan in 20 ODI matches, winning 9 and losing 11.
Under his leadership:
- Pakistan lost the ODI tri-series at home in February 2025.
- The team failed to make it to the knockout stage of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
- His last match as captain ended in a 202-run defeat against the West Indies in Tarouba on August 12, where Pakistan folded for 92 in 29.2 overs chasing 294.
Future in Pakistan’s ODI Squad
Even though he has been removed as captain, Rizwan is expected to retain his place as a player in the ODI squad for the upcoming series against South Africa.
However, he remains out of the T20I setup, signaling an uncertain leadership future despite his strong individual performances.
Catch every update on Cricket News, Match Predictions, Fantasy Tips, and Live Cricket Action—only on The Cricket Scores!
