The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has removed Mohammad Rizwan and appointed Shaheen Shah Afridi as the new ODI captain on Monday.

 

While the board did not explain the reasoning behind the decision, former cricketer Rashid Latif blamed head coach Mike Hesson for Rizwan’s removal.

 

Latif claimed that Rizwan’s public support for Palestine was the real reason behind his dismissal as captain. He said that Rizwan’s actions, including his pledge to donate PKR 100,000 for every six wickets taken by Multan Sultans in support of Palestine, did not sit well with the team management.

 

According to Rashid Latif, Mohammad Rizwan has been removed from the captaincy because he spoke openly for Palestine and Mike Hesson didn’t like the culture he brought to the dressing roompic.twitter.com/YUoKfsqz8q

— Hassan Abbasian (@HassanAbbasian) October 20, 2025

 

“Just because he picked up the Palestine flag, you would sack him as captain? There is this mindset that a non-Islamic captain will lead the team of an islamic country,” Latif said in a video shared on social media.

 

He further alleged that Rizwan introduced religious practices in the dressing room, something that Hesson reportedly disliked. “Mike Hesson is the one behind this decision. He isn’t someone who likes this culture in the dressing room. He has a team of five to six people who want to end this culture. We never cared about these things, even when Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saeed Anwar, or Saqlain Mushtaq were part of the team,” Latif added.

 

The PCB’s decision surprised many, as Rizwan had only been appointed ODI captain in October last year. The Board’s announcement came on the first day of the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa in Rawalpindi.

 

Rizwan’s tenure included series wins against Australia and South Africa, but Pakistan’s early exit from the Champions Trophy and a disappointing series against West Indies reportedly sealed his fate. The selection committee discussed the matter with Hesson before finalizing the change, though the PCB has not issued an official explanation.

 

With Shaheen Afridi now leading the ODI side, Pakistan will have three different captains for all three formats.