Mohammad Amir blasts PCB over Mohammad Rizwan’s removal as Shaheen Afridi named new ODI captain of Pakistan

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Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir has criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board for removing Mohammad Rizwan as Pakistan’s ODI captain and appointing left-arm speedster Shaheen Afridi in his place. The PCB announced the decision on Monday, a move that sparked widespread debate among cricketing circles and fans alike.

According to Amir, Rizwan’s removal reflects Pakistan’s longstanding issue with inconsistency in leadership decisions. He argued that Rizwan had performed well enough to retain his position and did not deserve to be axed after a few disappointing results. In an interview with Geo Super, Amir expressed disappointment, saying that Rizwan had showcased tactical acumen and composure in difficult situations.

“I don’t think Mohammad Rizwan has been treated fairly. Rizwan was not a bad one-day captain. He led Pakistan to series wins in South Africa and Australia, something even some of our biggest captains couldn’t achieve. We should not have forgotten that,” Amir said.

Rizwan’s tenure as captain began with encouraging success, including Pakistan’s back-to-back ODI series victories against Australia and South Africa on away soil — achievements rarely accomplished by previous captains. However, following Pakistan’s early exit from the Champions Trophy and subsequent defeats against New Zealand and West Indies, the PCB opted for a change, signalling Afridi’s elevation as a step toward long-term planning. Amir, however, questioned the logic behind this abrupt switch and said the board had overreacted to short-term failures rather than assessing the overall progress under Rizwan’s captaincy.

Also READ: PCB sack Mohammad Rizwan, appoint Shaheen Afridi as Pakistan’s new ODI captain

Amir also elaborated on the need for a consistent approach in team management, warning that frequent captaincy changes could damage the dressing room environment. He said leadership in international cricket is built through consistent trust, communication and planning rather than impulsive decisions driven by temporary outcomes.

“Captaincy should not depend on just one good or bad series. We are all responsible for this former cricketers and analysts included. We don’t allow stability in our cricket. Captains are not made overnight; it takes two to three years to build one. But here, one bad series is enough to replace a captain. I don’t think this is the right call. Rizwan is a smart captain and has that knack for leadership,” the former pacer added.

Discussing Afridi’s appointment, Amir acknowledged the pacer’s potential but questioned whether now was the right time to hand him the ODI reins. He suggested that the PCB could have experimented with a gradual transition by naming Afridi vice-captain first. This would have allowed management to evaluate his leadership under less pressure while giving Rizwan time to regain form and confidence ahead of the next big assignment. He also raised concerns about Afridi’s workload, reminding that the young pacer has faced repeated injury setbacks and may need to focus on balancing fitness alongside leadership responsibilities.

“If Shaheen had to be made captain, he could have first been appointed as vice-captain and his performance judged accordingly — especially considering his fitness,” Amir concluded.

Shaheen, who has previously captained Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League and briefly led Pakistan in T20Is, brings some leadership experience but remains relatively new to the format of fifty-over cricket. Cricket experts believe his appointment signals the PCB’s attempt to prepare a long-term captain for the 2027 World Cup. Still, as Amir emphasized, for Afridi to succeed, the board must provide stability and sustained support, something Rizwan was arguably denied.

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