In a significant shift for Pakistan’s One Day International cricket team, fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been appointed as the new ODI captain, replacing Mohammad Rizwan. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced this major decision on Monday, coinciding with the first day of the ongoing Test match against South Africa in Rawalpindi. This leadership change, finalized after a strategic meeting involving white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, Director of High Performance Aqib Javed, and national selection committee members in Islamabad, will see Afridi lead the team for the first time in his new role. His initial assignment will be a three-match ODI series against South Africa, commencing on November 4th. Afridi, a formidable presence in the 50-over format since his 2018 debut, has taken 131 wickets in 66 ODIs with an impressive average of 24.28, establishing himself as Pakistan’s premier fast bowler. He previously captained the T20I side earlier this year in a home series against New Zealand, which concluded in a 2-2 draw. The move follows a period where Rizwan’s captaincy was not explicitly confirmed by the PCB for the upcoming white-ball series, indicating a potential shift in leadership strategy. Despite Rizwan’s commendable batting record, averaging just under 42 and scoring significantly for the team, and leading them to series wins in Australia and South Africa last year, the team’s performance has seen a dip in 2024, culminating in an early exit from the Champions Trophy.
