 "Mohammad Rizwan lost Pakistan's T20I captaincy after a poor Champions Trophy 2025. Image: Reuters")
Fresh trouble is brewing in Pakistan cricket with ODI captain Mohammad Rizwan reportedly fighting for more power within the system. As per a report, Rizwan is set to meet Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi over this issue.
Rizwan and Naqvi are expected to discuss Pakistan’s recent poor tour of New Zealand including Rizwan’s sacking from the T20I captaincy. Under Rizwan’s ODI captaincy, Pakistan lost the ODI series 3-0 in New Zealand after finishing last in their group in the Champions Trophy 2025.
It must be noted that the T20I side also lost 4-1 in New Zealand after Rizwan was sacked as captain in favour of Salman Agha.
Rizwan ready to open front against Pakistan head coach
Media reports in Pakistan now suggest that Rizwan wants to ask Naqvi about his removal as T20I captaincy. He is also expected to demand more say in the team affairs after facing issues on selection matters with current head coach Aaqib Javed.
Reportedly Rizwan wanted five bowlers in the first two ODIs, however, Javed only allowed four overs while Salman Agha and Irfan Khan were used to complete the remaining 10 overs.
“Rizwan is due to meet the PCB chairman as soon as he gets an opportunity to seek clarity on his axing from the T20I side,” a source close to Rizwan told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net).
“Rizwan will seek more power in the selection of the playing eleven for the match, and there is a possibility that if not given full power, then he might resign from ODI captaincy,” the source said.
The media reports in Pakistan have also stated that Javed could lose his coaching role as PCB has already communicated with a few foreign coaches. Some former local cricketers are also in the race.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe PCB will have some time on hand to make the decisions as the Pakistan Super League (PSL) starts on 11 April and will run till 18 May.
After PSL, the Paksiytan cricket team will be in Bangladesh for a five-match T20I series.