How will Mohammad Rizwan's white-ball captaincy impact Pakistan cricket?

[FearlessRoar]

Mohammad Rizwan's captaincy style is likely to be aggressive, as seen in his successful stints in the PSL and other PCB domestic tournaments. Notably, he led Multan Sultans to their first PSL title in 2021.

Rizwan's leadership highlighted his ability to:

- Effective decision-making under pressure
- Ability to get the best out of players
- Balance between experience and youth

But captaining a team at the international level is a different challenge. Rizwan must focus on strengthening Pakistan's middle-order, making the batting lineup more resilient. He should also experiment with innovative bowling plans, especially in powerplay and death overs. Technically, I expect Rizwan to:

- Set clever fields to exploit opposition weaknesses
- Redefine player roles to optimize Pakistan's talented squad

Given Pakistan's recent white-ball performances, there's room for improvement. Taking over as white-ball captain and facing the added challenge of Gary Kirsten's resignation as white-ball coach makes Rizwan's task even more daunting. His first assignment, the upcoming Australia white-ball series, will be a significant test.

Let's discuss!

 

[Rana]

He has a clear vision to stay 20 years behind all others

Baqi aap sab siyane ho

 

[Bilal Ahmad15]

4 PSL Finals

So answer is he will be a great captain

 

[Asif321]

If he respects merit and doesn’t do yaari dosti like his friend Babar . He should be okay . He has to be honest with his job and think of team before himself . Or else he will go down route of Bobby

 

[Rana]

If he respects merit and doesn’t do yaari dosti like his friend Babar . He should be okay . He has to be honest with his job and think of team before himself . Or else he will go down route of Bobby

He took Babar down that route

It was always a planned strategy by Babar’s agency. Now he can’t hide behind Babar anymore.

 

[iPakistani]

As long as he doesn't lose 17 ODIs in a row or hide behind Hasan Ali in the batting order he won't have a worse legacy than Sarfraz.

 

[deltexas]

Mohammad Rizwan's captaincy style is likely to be aggressive, as seen in his successful stints in the PSL and other PCB domestic tournaments. Notably, he led Multan Sultans to their first PSL title in 2021.

Rizwan's leadership highlighted his ability to:

- Effective decision-making under pressure
- Ability to get the best out of players
- Balance between experience and youth

But captaining a team at the international level is a different challenge. Rizwan must focus on strengthening Pakistan's middle-order, making the batting lineup more resilient. He should also experiment with innovative bowling plans, especially in powerplay and death overs. Technically, I expect Rizwan to:

- Set clever fields to exploit opposition weaknesses
- Redefine player roles to optimize Pakistan's talented squad

Given Pakistan's recent white-ball performances, there's room for improvement. Taking over as white-ball captain and facing the added challenge of Gary Kirsten's resignation as white-ball coach makes Rizwan's task even more daunting. His first assignment, the upcoming Australia white-ball series, will be a significant test.

Let's discuss!

Your 1st statement itself is so cliched. Rizzy will be a disaster for Pak.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Any title would rank him above Sarfaraz Ahmed or else he would just be the next Babar or Kohli unfortunately.

 

[DTrump]

Any title would rank him above Sarfaraz Ahmed or else he would just be the next Babar or Kohli unfortunately.

Kohli who led his side to the top rank in all 3 formats? Why is he being grouped with Babar?? If Babar was half as good as Kohli, PCT would not be in such dire straits.

Babar has been kicked out so that Pakistan can win matches.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

our acting industry will get a massive boost now!

 

[shamaan]

I think he should open or bat at 5/6.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

I think he should open or bat at 5/6.

Its better to send him down the order as much as possible to reduce the chances of him hurting the team's run rate.

 

[khyberlion]

As long as he doesn't lose 17 ODIs in a row or hide behind Hasan Ali in the batting order he won't have a worse legacy than Sarfraz.

Did sarfraz actually lose 17 odis in a row?

 

[shah9425]

It will be a positive change

And some stupid clowns here will continue to cry here

 

[shah9425]

Did sarfraz actually lose 17 odis in a row?

 

[karthikc]

I expect Rizwan to be successful and seeing that @Rana would transform from a Rizzu hater to his biggest supporter

 

[moghul]

He deserves the captaincy more than anyone else in contention but hopefully he will stay away from Yari dosti tradition and will not try to make a Pashto speaking group in the team. As captain he should be talking in national language while in the field while giving directions to players. Last time I checked Pashto was not Pakistan's national language and not all the players understand it.

 

[BouncerGuy]

I don't wanna see him backing mediocre players like Khushdil or Iftikhar. He should not go down the route of Babar and try to play pathetic players no matter what. Be wise and think about Pakistan first.

 

[CerebralPatriot]

The longer he stays captain, the greater the destruction to pak cricket.

If the selectors don’t rectify their mistake within a year I’m afraid to say that Pakistan cricket will be dead by then

 

[Asif321]

That also means Bobby and riz will be T20 openers for another 2 years

 

[mominsaigol]

I expect Rizwan to be successful and seeing that @Rana would transform from a Rizzu hater to his biggest supporter

Neither of these 2 scenarios are ever happening.

The best case scenario would be that Rizzu is able to dominate Bi Laterals where sides send their c string and achieve no 1 odi or t20 rank temporarily just like Babar did.

However it's very unlikely since Babar era benefitted from the covid era and Ramiz convientally scheduling tours during IPL season to avoid exposing Babar.

Even in this hypothetical vest case scenario, Tournament butchering will happen at a regular occurrence.

2023 and 2024 outings were outright butcherings.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Mohammad Rizwan averages 48 at a strike rate of 92 at no. 4. It's absolutely ridiculous to me that some people want him to bat at any other position other than 4.

 

[mominsaigol]

Mohammad Rizwan averages 48 at a strike rate of 92 at no. 4. It's absolutely ridiculous to me that some people want him to bat at any other position other than 4.

Avg is inflated due to Nedtherlands and Sri Lanka game.

Same way rizzu avg 86 against spin in test but was lbw by rehan Ahmed lol.

This is why I said odi cricket needs to go back to the one ball era and spin pitches must be a permanent feature in home test pitched for pakistan and their curated batting paradise roads.

Ramiz raja(test) and this 2 new ball system in odi had made it so that every Tom dick and Harry averages stupidly high with an insane strike rate.

Hence you actually have to watch these players to determine who's rubbish and who isn't. For example Agha averages even higher with a higher sr at 4 then rizzu.

Based of their stats, One would think Sachin and pointing are batting side by side at the crease.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Avg is inflated due to Nedtherlands and Sri Lanka game.

Same way rizzu avg 86 against spin in test but was lbw by rehan Ahmed lol.

This is why I said odi cricket needs to go back to the one ball era and spin pitches must be a permanent feature in home test pitched for pakistan and their curated batting paradise roads.

Ramiz raja(test) and this 2 new ball system in odi had made it so that every Tom dick and Harry averages stupidly high with an insane strike rate.

Hence you actually have to watch these players to determine who's rubbish and who isn't. For example Agha averages even higher with a higher sr at 4 then rizzu.

Based of their stats, One would think Sachin and pointing are batting side by side at the crease.

Ah yes. Because likes of Adam Gilchrist is awaiting in Pakistan

 

[mominsaigol]

Ah yes. Because likes of Adam Gilchrist is awaiting in Pakistan

Mate, this is an argument that originated 2 years ago .

You're very very late to the party

 

[mominsaigol]

Ah yes. Because likes of Adam Gilchrist is awaiting in Pakistan

Anyway since you're 2 years late to the party, might as well tear this apart.

First of all you advocated for rizzu batting at no 4. In other words you're implying that he's the best no 4 in the country hence your reasoning for presenting said statistics which is laughable.

Secondly, you're once again hiding behind the keeping clause, just like how Misbah hid behind the captaincy clause.

If rizzu isn't a batter and only a specialist keeper by your twisted logic, then no 7 is a perfect spot for him to bat.

Adam gilchrist is irrelevant and their hasn't been a single one day wk batter that has surpassed him. Only qdk comes close but gilly's wc 100 will put him >.

 

[Rana]

Ah yes. Because likes of Adam Gilchrist is awaiting in Pakistan

You people never learn.

 

[RidiculousMan]

You people never learn.

I don't have personal grudge against Rizwan

 

[shaz619]

You people never learn.

There’s a handful of true cricket fans left unfortunately.

 

[mominsaigol]

I don't have personal grudge against Rizwan

Neither do I. You need to stop confusing me with others.

Never once have I talked about rizzu without bringing in a key statistic which showcases the reality at hand.

Your 86 avg spin bradman statistics or 48 avg 92 SR better then Ricky Pointing statistics are hilarious arguments.

 

[Rana]

I don't have personal grudge against Rizwan

I do. I have a grudge against him and everything he represents.

I loved my cricket team. I hate it now because of him.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Challenging times, he will be dummy captain hence he will have an excuse ready for his critics.

 

[mominsaigol]

Challenging times, he will be dummy captain hence he will have an excuse ready for his critics.

Dummy captain? The only dummy captain pakistan had post 2019 was Shaheen lol

 

[shaz619]

I do. I have a grudge against him and everything he represents.

I loved my cricket team. I hate it now because of him.

This.

For a long time, I developed an abusive relationship with wrestling. Now it’s with Pakistan Cricket due to certain individuals.

 

[Rana]

Challenging times, he will be dummy captain hence he will have an excuse ready for his critics.

The excuse is ready for his supporters

 

[Mamoon]

There’s a handful of true cricket fans left unfortunately.

Yes. True cricket fans who claimed that Amir and Imad are mentally strong match winners who would elevate the Pakistan team

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Dummy captain? The only dummy captain pakistan had post 2019 was Shaheen lol

No captain in cricketing history who wasn't allowed to pick his own 11. Rizwan will be first

 

[mominsaigol]

No captain in cricketing history who wasn't allowed to pick his own 11. Rizwan will be first

If anything it's beneficial.

Have you seen the players rizzu usually picks? You'll have a team filled with Chacha's, Imam's, Abrar's etc lol

 

[Rana]

If anything it's beneficial.

Have you seen the players rizzu usually picks? You'll have a team filled with Chacha's, Imam's, Abrar's etc lol

Well he can’t pick Russow, Tim David, David Miller, Kieron Pollard or David Malan to take care of his middle order now having fluffed the powerplay.

 

[mominsaigol]

Well he can’t pick Russow, Tim David, David Miller, Kieron Pollard or David Malan to take care of his middle order now having fluffed the powerplay.

This is according to reports so I'm not sure(but tbf major also said this)

Rizwan made multiple demands on team selection when given the captaincy role. The team he wanted in Australia is completly different from the one that's being sent thanks to aqib javed.

But despite these threats, rizzu still took captaincy cause he wasn't willing to risk Agha getting it.

 

[Rana]

This is according to reports so I'm not sure(but tbf major also said this)

Rizwan made multiple demands on team selection when given the captaincy role. The team he wanted in Australia is completly different from the one that's being sent thanks to aqib javed.

But despite these threats, rizzu still took captaincy cause he wasn't willing to risk Agha getting it.

He took it because he knows once Aqib is gone (which can be anytime), Rizwan can do whatever he wants with a new selection committee that will be a people’s pleaser.

It’s better to grab hold of the captaincy now. Play the waiting game with his agent and paid journalists making noise outside putting pressure on the PCB to give him full autonomy.

 

[mominsaigol]

He took it because he knows once Aqib is gone (which can be anytime), Rizwan can do whatever he wants with a new selection committee that will be a people’s pleaser.

It’s better to grab hold of the captaincy now. Play the waiting game with his agent and paid journalists making noise outside putting pressure on the PCB to give him full autonomy.

What I do ik is, that Misbah advocates for these players

1) Abrar (Even after the English bashing, Misbah was advocating for it, and so was major, major kept talking about how abrar should have played and helped sajid and nouman in 2nd and 3rd test )

2) Waseem Jnr

3) Irfan Kham Niazi

4) Chacha

5) Babar Azam

6) Abdul Samad

7) Hasebullah (Misbah believes he should he like Danish karthik to MS Dhoni and ues he made said analogy in the podcast )

8) Zahid Mehmood

9) Jahndad Khan

10) Imam ul Haq

as for others like salman Ali Agha, Kamran Ghulam, Saud, Fakhar Zaman, Misbah backs them as long as they don't replace Babar and rizwan

All these guys must bat lower or higher but not at opening in t20 or no 3 and 4 in odi.

Theirs many others in SNGPL that Misbah is raising and grooming to be future slaves to Babar and rizzu.

 

[BouncerGuy]

No personal stuff. Stay on topic.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

The first thing about naming a captain should be the player should be a respectful figure.

Rizwan is more interested in showboating for Broadway than playing cricket.

He is a very poor choice to lead a serious team like Pakistan.

 

[Rana]

He is a very poor choice to lead a serious team like Pakistan.

It used to be a serious team before he was given a long rope. It isn’t anymore. That was the entire purpose. To make make him work only, everything else has gone to the dogs.

 

[Rana]

InshaAllah this calamity will soon come to an end!

There, I said it again. Interpret it how you like!

 

[shaz619]

The first thing about naming a captain should be the player should be a respectful figure.

Rizwan is more interested in showboating for Broadway than playing cricket.

He is a very poor choice to lead a serious team like Pakistan.

People can criticise Kirsten all they want but he instantly picked up on this, but Pakistan fans continue to live in delusion

 

[shaz619]

InshaAllah this fitna will soon come to an end!

There, I said it again. Interpret it how you like!

Am just waiting for Ramadan bro so I can have some peace and for Rizwan to get locked up for a four weeks.

 

[shaz619]

Speaking of Ramadan, I bet they will attempt to make the CT a spiritual endeavour, it’s around that time isn’t it.

When they ultimately fail, I will laugh and you all and say, even Allah swt didn’t want Rizwan to captain!

 

[Asif321]

Reports saying Kirsten didn’t want Rizwan as captain

 

[Mamoon]

The first thing about naming a captain should be the player should be a respectful figure.

Rizwan is more interested in showboating for Broadway than playing cricket.

He is a very poor choice to lead a serious team like Pakistan.

Who should be captain? Please pick your team and captain in all formats.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Who should be captain? Please pick your team and captain in all formats.

I dont care.

Any team without Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen will be a tremendous upgrade.

Make Agha Salman or Shadab captain I dont care.

Just remember, Babar and Rizwan are nobodies.

Stop trying to make them the best thing that happened to Pakistan cricket.

 

[aukhan]

Should be fired after we lose the CT2025. I prefer Agha leading us in limited overs.

 

[Major]

I dont care.

Any team without Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen will be a tremendous upgrade.

Make Agha Salman or Shadab captain I dont care.

Just remember, Babar and Rizwan are nobodies.

Stop trying to make them the best thing that happened to Pakistan cricket.

shadab as captain? LOL

 

[Mamoon]

I dont care.

Any team without Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen will be a tremendous upgrade.

Make Agha Salman or Shadab captain I dont care.

Just remember, Babar and Rizwan are nobodies.

Stop trying to make them the best thing that happened to Pakistan cricket.

If you care enough to say that XYZ shouldn’t be captain, you should also care enough to say who you think should be captain. It is typical of fans like you to offer criticism but then you don’t have the courage to offer solutions.

Be a problem solver in life. These are the people who have the most value. Those who tell others what not to do rather than what to do have no value and no purpose, and their opinions carry no importance.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

If you care enough to say that XYZ shouldn’t be captain, you should also care enough to say who you think should be captain. It is typical of fans like you to offer criticism but then you don’t have the courage to offer solutions.

Be a problem solver in life. These are the people who have the most value. Those who tell others what not to do rather than what to do have no value and no purpose, and their opinions carry no importance.

In a forum your opinion is as useless as mine.

I dont need to solve problems on a cricket forum about captains.

I can point out the flaws in the system and players and hope somebody listens and works towards a solution.

I am not paid for this role and neither are you.

 

[Mamoon]

In a forum your opinion is as useless as mine.

I dont need to solve problems on a cricket forum about captains.

I can point out the flaws in the system and players and hope somebody listens and works towards a solution.

I am not paid for this role and neither are you.

You are not paid to offer solutions but you are also not paid to offer criticism but you still do it. Why? Simply because it is easier to do and you can’t be held accountable for your words.

You don’t have the courage to put your neck on the line and say that XYZ should be captain because if that player becomes the captain and doesn’t do well, people will criticize your opinion and you don’t like that.

Most people don’t have the nerve to swallow criticism in life. It takes courage to do so, courage that only solution-oriented people have.

Please remember that when you offer criticism but don’t have the confidence to offer a solution, your criticism become meaningless as well. Nonetheless, you do your thing if that is your idea of creating value on this forum with your presence.

 

[mominsaigol]

shadab as captain? LOL

He did win 2 tournaments in a row when it comes to local leagues and he didn't have the best team in either of them.

To top it off, unlike Shan masood who's useless, Shadab actually hides himself and knows how to play like a specialist fielder.

Right now you have 2 captains in pakistan both of which ensure that pakistan unfortunately only plays with 10 players rather then 11 because both Shan and Rizwan are useless.

Shadab is also useless but he knows how to captain and knows how to hide himself.

Regardless captain in t20 should have been shaheen and he shpuld not have been removed. Saud for test and salman Ali Agha for odi.

This all format captain drama needs to end. Your beloved Misbah would have been considered an ATG had he he actually stuck to test captaincy only and called it quits in 2016.

His whiteball nonsense + coaching/ selecting stint created the hate for your hero that you witness in a daily basis.

 

[Caved12]

A captain needs to secure a place in the team first, and at this point, Shadab can’t make the team either as a batsman or a bowler. Shadab himself seems aware that his effectiveness as a bowler has diminished, and he lacks confidence in his bowling. This is likely why he’s been dropped from all squads touring Australia and Zimbabwe in the coming month.

 

[shaz619]

Speaking of Ramadan, I bet they will attempt to make the CT a spiritual endeavour, it’s around that time isn’t it.

When they ultimately fail, I will laugh and you all and say, even Allah swt didn’t want Rizwan to captain!

It has already begun as foretold by me

Muhammad Rizwan said: "I Never Desired or Asked for Captaincy, If it's granted by Allah, one shouldn't refuse."

@Rana

 

[gazza619]

Indeed everything happens with Allah’s will

 

[TheSultan]

Did sarfraz actually lose 17 odis in a row?

The difference between world beaters and losers is the losers live for bilaterals which are experimentation games and the winners worry about tournament results.

The losers post loser bilateral stats “babar no1 ODI batsman”.

The winners pat the losers on the back and say “ok son”

 

[Rana]

“I never desired captaincy”: Rizwan

Astaghfirullah

 

[shaz619]

“I never desired captaincy”: Rizwan

Astaghfirullah

This guy is so predictable / easy to read (pun intended on his cricketing ability as well), why are so many folk gullible?

 

[mominsaigol]

“I never desired captaincy”: Rizwan

Astaghfirullah

Yes I never desired captaincy.

Just like I never desired no 4 in odi and opening in t20. I have no clue how I got these positions.

 

[Rana]

If you never desired captaincy, you would have simply refused it knowing the PCB also has Salman Ali Agha in mind.

What kind of besharam lies about not desiring it when they know there is another candidate?

“I never desired a free pizza but I can’t let the other guy have it who was also getting it for free. It was either me or him who got the free pizza”.

 

[mominsaigol]

If you never desired captaincy, you would have simply refused it knowing the PCB also has Salman Ali Agha in mind.

What kind of besharam lies about not desiring it when they know there is another candidate?

“I never desired a free pizza but I can’t let the other guy have it who was also getting it for free. It was either me or him who got the free pizza”.

Rizwan said and I quote

"I never desired captaincy, but I did not refuse it"

^^ These are the exact words he stated. Verbatim.

Ajeeb admi, What a contradiction?

That's like me saying "I never desired to punch you in the face, you simply used your face to hit my fist."

 

[shaz619]

“I never desired captaincy”: Rizwan

Astaghfirullah

This should have been re-worded to ‘I never desired captaincy until Misbah Ul Haq came to me in a dream and planted the idea’.

Now the spiritual angle has just been elevated mah gawd

 

[Mamoon]

If you never desired captaincy, you would have simply refused it knowing the PCB also has Salman Ali Agha in mind.

What kind of besharam lies about not desiring it when they know there is another candidate?

“I never desired a free pizza but I can’t let the other guy have it who was also getting it for free. It was either me or him who got the free pizza”.

Not desiring something doesn’t mean you won’t accept it if offered to you.

 

[sweep_shot]

He has to be given a lengthy run (at least till CT 2025).

One of the issues Pakistan have had was frequent chopping and changing.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Not desiring something doesn’t mean you won’t accept it if offered to you.

Some people think Rizwan is as much obsessed with captaincy as they are obsessed with Rizwan

 

[Asif321]

He has to be given a lengthy run (at least till CT 2025).

One of the issues Pakistan have had was frequent chopping and changing.

Babar captained for 4 years

 

[sweep_shot]

Babar captained for 4 years

After that, Shahen became the captain and then Babar again.

Last 1 year has been unstable.

 

[Asif321]

Rizwan said and I quote

"I never desired captaincy, but I did not refuse it"

^^ These are the exact words he stated. Verbatim.

Ajeeb admi, What a contradiction?

That's like me saying "I never desired to punch you in the face, you simply used your face to hit my fist."

Get ready for more humiliating press conferences.

 

[Asif321]

After that, Shahen became the captain and then Babar again.

Last 1 year has been unstable.

That was only one change which happened . King got all the luxury and failed to deliver in 5 years . Rizwan isn’t a new emerging player who will have excuse of “he is still learning”. So Rizwan has to deliver quickly or knives will be out

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Tbh Australia series would be a curtain raiser on Rizwan's actual captaincy abilities.

 

[Rana]

Tbh Australia series would be a curtain raiser on Rizwan's actual captaincy abilities.

His experience as Multan Sultan’s captain will see him through…

 

[shaz619]

Tbh Australia series would be a curtain raiser on Rizwan's actual captaincy abilities.

I hope Australia don’t play their C team

 

[sweep_shot]

Tbh Australia series would be a curtain raiser on Rizwan's actual captaincy abilities.

9 out of 10 times, visiting teams do poorly in Australia. Australia is a tough place to tour.

I think his real tests will be the series after Australia (Zimbabwe, New Zealand, SA-Pak-NZ tri-series etc.).

 

[The Bald Eagle]

9 out of 10 times, visiting teams do poorly in Australia. Australia is a tough place to tour.

I think his real tests will be the series after Australia (Zimbabwe, New Zealand, SA-Pak-NZ tri-series etc.).

True, but he is leading a talented squad although a bit inexperience