Shaheen Afridi has been announced as Pakistan’s new ODI captain, replacing Mohammad Rizwan.
Shaheen is set to become Pakistan’s 32nd ODI captain when they take on South Africa in the first of three matches in Faisalabad on November 4. The decision was announced late on Monday (October 20).
"Shaheen’s appointment for the upcoming series was finalised today following a meeting held in Islamabad, which was attended by white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, Director High Performance Aqib Javed and members of the selection committee," a PCB statement read.
The decision seemed imminent after Rizwan's future as Pakistan's ODI captain was thrown into doubt when the PCB said it was "yet to finalise a captain" for the South Africa series a few days back. The statement added that white-ball coach Mike Hesson had asked PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi for a meeting with the selection and advisory committee to appoint a new captain.
🚨 Pakistan have a new ODI skipper 🇵🇰
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) October 20, 2025
Shaheen Afridi takes over from Mohammad Rizwan, who led in 20 games after being appointed captain last October. pic.twitter.com/HgqeOnzc2D
Why has Shaheen Afridi replaced Rizwan?
After being appointed as Pakistan’s full-time ODI captain since November last year, Rizwan had a stellar start when his team won an away bilateral series against Australia for the first in 22 years. That was followed by a 2-1 series victory against Zimbabwe and a 3-0 win over South Africa, the first time the Proteas had been whitewashed at home in an ODI series.
However, Pakistan's poor performance in 2025 ultimately put the nail in the coffin for Rizwan’s ODI captaincy. They have won just two of their 11 matches this year, starting with a loss to New Zealand in a tri-series final followed by an unceremonious group exit in a home Champions Trophy. The final straws were consecutive series losses against New Zealand and the West Indies.
Though he is still Pakistan’s second-highest scorer in ODIs since becoming captain – with 625 runs at an average of 41.66 – his last three series averages of 24.50, 24.00, and 23.00 clearly indicate a decline in form.
In Shaheen’s favour, what has worked is his form. His 45 wickets at 26.04 are the second-most overall and the most by a Full Member nation fast bowler since the start of the 2023 ODI World Cup. With 15 scalps at 17.60, he was Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker last year and was also key to their away wins in Australia and South Africa.
Afridi has also been a successful T20 captain, having led Lahore Qalandars to three titles in the last four years, and was briefly appointed as Pakistan's T20I skipper ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup, before that stint ended in bitter fashion. Pakistan would hope this appointment lasts longer and is more fruitful.
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