Legendary Pakistani power-hitter Shahid Afridi has thrown his support behind Mohammad Rizwan as the best choice to lead Pakistan in limited-overs cricket following Babar Azam’s resignation. Afridi’s comments come after much speculation regarding the next captain, with Rizwan emerging as a frontrunner. Afridi, one of Pakistan’s most iconic cricketers, has praised Rizwan’s leadership qualities, calling him the “best choice” to succeed Babar Azam in guiding Pakistan’s white-ball teams.
Rizwan’s Leadership Journey
Rizwan, the 32-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Peshawar, was handed the captaincy during Pakistan’s tour of Australia. Under his leadership, Pakistan achieved a historic 2-1 victory in the ODI series, marking their first win in an ODI series in Australia since 2002. While the T20I series that followed saw Pakistan being whitewashed 3-0, Rizwan’s performance as captain in the ODIs earned him plaudits, showcasing his potential as a leader.
After Australia, Rizwan continued to captain Pakistan during their tour of Zimbabwe, where Pakistan won both the ODI and T20I series 2-1. Notably, Rizwan was rested for the T20I series, with Salman Ali Agha stepping in as captain. Despite the mixed results in Zimbabwe, Rizwan’s leadership remained under the spotlight, with fans and pundits alike watching his progress.
Afridi’s Confidence in Rizwan
Shahid Afridi’s backing of Rizwan is a significant endorsement. Afridi, known for his aggressive style of play, believes Rizwan is the ideal candidate to take over from Babar Azam. “Rizwan was the best choice as the Pakistan captain after Babar Azam,” Afridi said, emphasizing his confidence in Rizwan’s leadership abilities.
Afridi further acknowledged Rizwan’s calm and composed nature, noting that the wicketkeeper-batter had the mental fortitude to lead Pakistan through challenging times. Rizwan’s consistency with the bat and his discipline behind the stumps have made him a fan favorite, and Afridi believes these qualities will serve him well as captain.
Mixed Results Under Rizwan’s Captaincy
While Rizwan has had a strong start to his captaincy, the results have been somewhat mixed. After the historic win in Australia, Pakistan lost the T20I series 2-0 to South Africa but bounced back in the ODI series, winning 3-0. Currently, Pakistan is playing a two-match Test series against South Africa, with the Proteas leading 1-0 after a narrow win in the first Test. The second Test is set to begin on January 3 in Cape Town, providing Rizwan with an opportunity to demonstrate his leadership in the longer format.
Looking Ahead
Under Rizwan’s captaincy, Pakistan’s limited-overs teams will look to build on recent successes and work towards greater consistency. The appointment marks a new chapter in Pakistan cricket, and Afridi’s endorsement shows that Rizwan has the backing of the cricketing fraternity. With a solid team around him, Rizwan has the chance to lead Pakistan to more triumphs, both at home and abroad, as he continues to grow into the role of a leader.
