[VIDEOS] PCB appoints Mohammad Rizwan as ODI and T20I Captain

Pakistan's captaincy is an honor. Mohammad Rizwan

The characteristic of a captain is to hold the team together.

Interview with PCB Digital. Lahore, 28 October.

Pakistan white-ball captain Muhammad Rizwan says that it is a dream for any player to play for Pakistan; it is a great honor and even more so to lead the Pakistan team. "It's hard to describe,"

Mohammad Rizwan said in an interview given to PCB Digital, "It is an honor for me on one hand and a challenge on the other that I fulfill this responsibility according to the expectations that the nation has placed on me. I will try to balance this honor and pressure and handle it well."

Rizwan said that the responsibility of leadership is very big. He has captained Under-19 and regional and domestic teams before but never expressed his desire to captain. "I have learned from all the captains I have played under in the past. Some have been gentle, and some have been emotional. There are some angry people, so I have learned something. I didn't aspire for captaincy, but when the responsibility comes, I will try to do it well because there is a difference between Pakistan captaincy and captaincy at the lower level. I will try to apply what I have learned, and Allah will help me."

Rizwan said that the characteristic of the captain is to bring the team together. "When the team is together, the whole team is seen together; it is not seen because of one member." He said that at this time, we have a lot of young talent. "You will see all the captains in this team."

He said that when you are playing for Pakistan, it is definitely a pressure game. "That wicket-keeping in the past, I have done batting and captaincy side by side and will continue what Allah has taught me." He said that he has also been the vice-captain in all formats, and the whole team was happy with him, and will continue to do what is good for the Pakistan team.

"We have always faced difficulties in Australia," he said. "If we work on them, we will beat Australia in Australia. If we haven't beaten them in the past, it doesn't necessarily mean we can't beat them in the end. We are going at it with thought and passion. We have to fight there together with senior and young players; the result is left to Allah."

Rizwan said that his vision is to have a captain ready as a backup, not only a captain but also a keeper. "We have been losing in the semi-finals in major tournaments, and we have to prepare with the Champions Trophy and the World Cup in India in mind. Those should be our targets."

He said that he would like to be an example for all the players and would like to leave such a legacy that when he goes, Pakistan will have good players. "His biggest wish is to see Pakistan cricket up."

"When the young players come into the team, it takes time for them to adjust and understand, but he feels that the gap has narrowed now, and he hopes that this team will look different."

Rizwan said that sometimes the fans are angry with our results, but despite that, the love is there. "Similarly, when we are bowling, don't be afraid of getting a four, but hope for a catch and an out. You should think positively. We will try our best.

Well said Kaptaan ❤️❤️❤️
 
Whatever PCT gained from the Test series win against England, albeit on the shoulders of two combined 80-85 years old spinners, is lost from this one decision.

I always said Riz is the MVP of PCT - probably only player now who has a remote chance of making World XI, and the only player who can claim that he is among best in world in his core job - but, that is his weakness for captaincy. He is too precious for PCT to be over burdened with captaining a struggling side (don’t be fooled with these two Test wins, Pakistan cricket is at shambles).

Captaining a struggling side with unrealistic expectations from fan base, administration is the difficult job in cricket- more so for a batting captain. 40 years back, some Kim Hughes left Australian captaincy in tears, though still he had the full backing of his team & board. For a WK who happens to be one of the mainstay of the underperforming batting - that job is even more tougher.

Theoretically, WK is the best position for captaincy - he is placed at the best seat to watch surroundings, he stays in field for the highest time, he gets most numbers of touches of the ball, he is at the centre of everything happening- position of slip fielders, angle of out fielders, keeping field honest about over-rate management, “preparing” ball for reverse swing, pep talks to keep spirit high when going gets tough, sledging, …. You name it, WK is there. For that, often WKs are the most street smart guy of the team - a go to guy for captains almost after every over.

But, it’s a rowdy job, it’s extremely cumbersome job for the multitasking nature - apart from MSD, there had hardly been any long term WK-Captains, hardly any successful one either. Some of the best ever WKs were never made long-term/permanent captains - though they were considered always among the best minds of the team - Holley, Rod Marsh, Knott, Bari, Kirmani, Boucher, Doujon, Taylor, Grout…..

Not even considering that guy is officially 32+, doing an extremely physically demanding job (it’s not a power/strength job like a fast bowler- but WKeeing stresses the endurance of a cricketer most) for three formats and the next WC is good three years away (when guy will be almost 35, again officially) - I’m not sure how PCB can justify their call? Are they planning for a stop gap job, only for Rizwan to struggle and then replace him at the wrong time (closer to next WC) with a new incumbent (or bring back Babar)?

Besides, if indeed they wanted him to captain, then probably the starting portfolio should have been Test - Pakistan doesn’t play too many of this useless format, doesn’t feel necessary or proud either, the current Test captain is struggling as a player and there isn’t a suitable alternative either. But, I don’t see any logic of making him white ball captain!!!

Like it or not, to me the best candidate for white ball captaincy was Shadab - at the right age & mindset, been invested few years of domestic captaincy and to be honest, he genuinely commands a starting spot in PAK white ball team on playing merit - in fact he is among the best white ball players in current PCT, someone who can lead from the from on his playing skills.

I was almost sure that Shadab is going to be the next man, particularly with Gary K in the mix, but as usual PCB is never a forward thinking authority- good calls come from them as the last resort. I’m afraid, eventually PCB will move towards Shadab, but again at the wrong time, ruining both his reputation & proving it to be another mistake.

Anyway, Riz is starting his captaincy career at the worst possible time & place - good luck to him. Hope, he is not sacked after couple of months into the role.
Shadab at the moment doesn't make the team as a player so there is no way he could justify captaining the country.

Riz was the only logical choice for captaincy both in terms of merit as a player and his vast experience captaining different teams.

Riz is tactically astute and knows how to set fields and use his bowlers which has been costing us time and time again.

Safi managed the keeping workload and captaincy well so it shouldn't be a problem for Riz.

The T20 captaincy could of been given to someone like a Saim or Salman Ali to ease the burden on Riz.
 
As I said, this two Test wins have taken sense out of PAK fans - you'll come to reality in three weeks time, no worries.

This is not the PCT of 1980/90s, not even of 00s - this is a PAK side which is border line minnow in cricket and specially at least 25 years behind in white ball version - will be whipped mercilessly by ENG, AUS or Indian reserves in ODIs, probably SAF & NZ as well. For such a "dynamic" team, it's a luxury to have a cricketer like Shadab - his ODI stats are very good for the standard, and his T20 stats are world class - probably the MVP of PTC's T20 team. In T20, 18/140 batting and 23/7.2/20 bowling stats is equivalent to world class Test all-rounder stats like 29/29, and guy is comfortably best fielder in the squad.

Your problem is unrealistic expectations - otherwise, Shadab was instrumental in taking PAK to 2022 T20 WC final, was among better players of 2019 WC - yes, he had one bad WC in 2023..... but it can happen - apart from that 67 against Kiwis & 69 against Aussies, can't recall anything from Inzi in WCs .... and guy had played 5 of them.

Please start to judge Shadab in white ball cricket in comparison with his contemporary team mates & available "talunt" - not by benchmark stats or "Achievements", or not comparing what A Qadir, Saqline ... that will be fantasy cricket, not for modern generation of PAK fans. I guess, couple of years back it created a laughter when I wrote that Babar won't make PAK's all-time ODI XI over Mazid Khan as opener (and won't carry Z Abbas's boot at three) ..... now, guy is dropped from Test squad and team won twos Tests - that's the bitter reality of modern PCT standard.

Shadab is the type of cricketer one should back for captaincy - how good he is in subjective. He might not make the playing XI of top 3-4 Ranji Teams as Spin All-rounder, but probably you should reconsider the idea when it comes to making "talunted" PAK squad. He makes a perfect balance batting at 6/7 and can take wickets between over no. 15-40, when batsmen are not in a mad rush - 10-0-53-3 is a match winning bowling figure in modern era of 300 per, if the wickets are from No. 1-5 and guy did that few times, besides can add valuable runs at the bottom half.

COMING to the CAPTAINCY: It's extremely difficult to lead a struggling side (with unrealistic expectations) for a batting captain as the Captain has to lead from the front and his KPI is measurable - Bradman had 23 scores of single digit and 39 (half of his career) innings under 50 - means only every alternate innings he was successful. That's Bradman, for other ATGs it'll be like 1 in every 3.5 to 4.5 innings.... For Shan Masood it'll be every 23-25...... It didn't hurt Bradman because other 41 innings, he averaged 170+.... it didn't hurt Mark Taylor also (when he had 33 innings without a 50), because his team was winning left, right & centre. But, it'll hurt PCT's batting captain if he fails even in every alternate innings and team wins one in every 6/7 games. A bowling Captain can have barren days (no wicket), but still can make-up by bowling tight, or at least can take himself out of bowling line and come back later.

So, absolutely no way, PCT white ball captain should be a batsman - it has to be a bowler, or bowling all-rounder. Among bowlers, fast bowlers shouldn't be made captain, because of workload - even in olden days guys like Lillee, Marshall, Truman, Hadlee, Holding, Wes Hall, Roberts ..... were never made Captains, because you can't drop/rest your captain selectively and you shouldn't play your premier fast bowler every game. Besides, every fast bowler will need some time off after every spell means, his deputy has to be equally capable - Imran had Javed, Bob Willis had Gooch/Gower, now Cummins has Steve Smith - PAK pacers will have again - Babar Azam. After SSA's experiment, only realistic option is Naseem, but he is too young, too injury prone for that.

Therefore, there are just two options left - Shadab or Aga.... but Aga doesn't assure 10 overs and if he is to pick as a batsman, who can roll arm - it can work in Test with 4 bowlers and 1 Aga. But, not in LOs where one has to pick 5 bowlers (part-timers can be successful as 6th bowler, but at toss if you make it evident that Aga will be bowling 10 overs, batting teams will cut cakes ...). So for white ball, all-rounder must ensure 10 overs (or has to be batsman like Viv, SRT, Mark Waugh, Hari De Silva, Team Head, Chris Gayle, ........ at least Amir Sohail, Markram) - find me one please.

This is the realistic scenario, based on which I don't see anyone beyond Shadab, unless they decide to appoint a specialist Captain (Shan is good choice for that - speaks OxBridge English as well), or what they have done - put another ton on Riz's back - guy already spends significant time in middle trying fix himself while batting.

I disagree with this. Shadab indeed has been MVP in the T20 format.

But he has been terrible in ODIs dating back to January 2019.

He has been especially terrible in that 16-40 over period that you talked about.

Since 25 Jan 2019, vs Top 9 ranked teams,

Shadab has taken only 20 wickets at an average of 57.xx in that 16-40 over period.

Pakistan are better off playing a specialist batter who bowls part time spin than this guy.
 
Pakistan are no match to Australia down under, will be whitewashed.

Rizwan true test will against the likes of Chitara Mudeieke etc
 
Shoaib Malik during a recent media interaction:

“I am pleased that Mohammad Rizwan has become the captain of the cricket team; he is a smart cricketer.”

“I pray for his success; failure teaches you more, while success can lead to complacency.”
 
Shoaib Malik during a recent media interaction:

“I am pleased that Mohammad Rizwan has become the captain of the cricket team; he is a smart cricketer.”

“I pray for his success; failure teaches you more, while success can lead to complacency.”

Earlier Shahid Afridi also backed Rizwan“If you're searching for a captain who embodies strategy, fearlessness, positivity, energy and passion, look no further than Rizwan,” wrote Afridi on X, formerly Twitter. “I'm thrilled that @TheRealPCB has entrusted him with this important responsibility.


Worrying signs for Rizwan critics
 
Earlier Shahid Afridi also backed Rizwan“If you're searching for a captain who embodies strategy, fearlessness, positivity, energy and passion, look no further than Rizwan,” wrote Afridi on X, formerly Twitter. “I'm thrilled that @TheRealPCB has entrusted him with this important responsibility.


Worrying signs for Rizwan critics
It’s worrying because Shahid Afridi said these things to describe him?
 
No warm up games.

It usually takes Pakistan 5 games before they have got used to the conditions
 
No warm up games.

It usually takes Pakistan 5 games before they have got used to the conditions
Australia is using this series to decide a few things.

A) Who will be their priemere opener alongside Travis Head (Short or Fraser)

B) The final series to decide Steve smith's career in odi.

C) Their also hoping to groom hardie and connely.

Meanwhile Pakistan has no direction. For example

A) What's the purpose of selecting Saim for odi but not for t20? It seems like this is more so based of ove protecting Ba/riz opening combo intact. Like this is how you groom the next generation?

B) what's Kamran Ghulam's role in the team? Where will he even bat?

C) Is Hasebullah really the next candidate to groom as a future keeper 🤣.

Their so many questions and it seems like the side doesn't have any direction, Especially considering they wish to continue the shaheen, Naseem and rauf combo for some reason
 
Sahibzada Farhan spoke to the media on the sidelines of the ongoing training camp at the National Bank Stadium:

"Rizwan has been my captain before, so playing under him won't be difficult."

"He will turn out to be a good captain for Pakistan. He is a fighter, whether in club matches or international games - his style remains the same."
 
Mohammad Rizwan while addressing the press conference today:

"Our focus is on the long term, not just the short term. If you look at the squad against Zimbabwe, there’s a balance between seniors and juniors. We’re searching for the right combination for big events, and for now, I think our combination is perfect."

"In our recent tournament, the Champions One Day Cup, you can notice many things, especially the difference between seniors and younger players."

"I’ve recently been involved in these matters, and in my meetings, I’ve noticed something positive: the selection committee and mentors are trying to get on the same page. Right now, the priority is to take our young players to the international level."

"We have time before the Champions Trophy and World Cup, so Inshallah, by then, I hope we’ll have our best XI in place."

"Yes, I belong to a group—the Pakistan team group. Now, as I step in as captain, one thing is enough for me: that all 15 players are the captain. As captain, my role is to accomplish the tasks, attend presentations, and hold press conferences. If I think of myself as the king, everything would fall apart. As a leader, I am, in fact, a servant to the 15 players."

"As far as achievements in Australia are concerned, all the staff behind us is only asking us to fight, and the entire nation will see that there’ll be no shortage of effort during the Australia tour."
His promise of a fightback proved hollow as the team succumbed to another collapse
 
Stinking attitude, comes out all smiling and laughing at the post match presentation and dismisses the shambolic defeat due to the shortened overs.

Yes, its true, can't read too much into but at least show you care and not just act like a goofball. After his laughable whitewash comment, dude needs to wise up.
 
Stinking attitude, comes out all smiling and laughing at the post match presentation and dismisses the shambolic defeat due to the shortened overs.

Yes, its true, can't read too much into but at least show you care and not just act like a goofball. After his laughable whitewash comment, dude needs to wise up.
He said Pakistan batters have been equal at winning games for Pakistan after being questioned about the constant no show of the batters.

Not just a goofball but an extremely dishonest one. Just like his best mate Babar
 
He said Pakistan batters have been equal at winning games for Pakistan after being questioned about the constant no show of the batters.

Not just a goofball but an extremely dishonest one. Just like his best mate Babar
That's disgraceful taking the fans as fools. We have eyes and can see what's been happening and its certainly not Pak batters winning games.

For someone that acts all pious, should be ashamed of the dishonesty.
 
That's disgraceful taking the fans as fools
That’s exactly what he has been doing. I’ll continue to highlight it as I’m not afraid to upset the norm or people here. I’ve heard Rizwan say 2-3 times in the last couple of weeks “our fans love us no matter what”. He said it in his post match captains press conference again today.

Look at the reaction to the way he is received by fans and Journalists in comparison to Babar or Shaheen. They continue to overlook his blatant flaws, but they won’t spare Shaheen at all. Why this hypocrisy in his case?
 
That’s exactly what he has been doing. I’ll continue to highlight it as I’m not afraid to upset the norm or people here. I’ve heard Rizwan say 2-3 times in the last couple of weeks “our fans love us no matter what”. He said it in his post match captains press conference again today.

Look at the reaction to the way he is received by fans and Journalists in comparison to Babar or Shaheen. They continue to overlook his blatant flaws, but they won’t spare Shaheen at all. Why this hypocrisy in his case?
I admire your fortitude to expose this facade. I only check into Pak cricket fleetingly as I got sick and fed up with the ongoing corruption and lies peddled by Rizbar.

So he is completely deluded if he thinks fans love no matter what, they are leaving in droves with the garbage that is served up.
 
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