Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Afridi has said that Mohammad Rizwan stepped down from leading the team by his own choice and he informed Rizwan first when he was appointed captain.

 

Speaking to members of the media in Rawalpindi before the ODI series against Sri Lanka, Shaheen said he contacted Babar Azam and other players when he first became captain. He said, “I will not talk about why I was removed from captaincy.”

 

Shaheen said that when the PCB offered him the ODI captaincy, he immediately informed Rizwan. He said, “I told Rizwan first that I am becoming captain and I took his opinion.” He added, “Rizwan decided himself to step away from captaincy and I accepted the role after consulting him.”

 

Shaheen said the team is focusing on all three departments, batting, bowling and fielding. He said every player must take responsibility. He said, “It is not the job of only Rizwan, Babar, Fakhar, Saim or Shaheen.”

 

Commenting on Babar Azam’s form, Shaheen said, “Babar will return with performances and a century.”

 

Shaheen said he seeks advice when he needs it and not only from former captains. He said, “Rizwan has scored the most runs in ODIs since 2023. The priority is to support players who are not in form.”

 

Shaheen said Pakistan must strengthen its bench and the captain should be part of selection discussions. He said the selection committee picks the 15-member squad but the captain’s opinion matters.

 

Shaheen also spoke about Hassan Nawaz. He said, "Hassan recently became a father and needed family time, which is why he was released from the squad. Releasing him does not mean he is out of future plans." Shaheen said, "Hassan will play domestic cricket at his preferred batting position and that other batters are performing well at that spot in the national side."

 

Last month, the PCB replaced Rizwan with Shaheen as Pakistan's ODI captain.

 

Pakistan and Sri Lanka will play an ODI series in Rawalpindi from November 11 to 15. The tri-nation series will run from November 17 to 29 with Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.