Mohammad Rizwan has been named Pakistan’s T20I captain ahead of the New Zealand series starting from January 12.
Rizwan takes over from Shadab Khan
The wicketkeeper takes over from Shadab Khan and will be a deputy to fast bowler Shaheen Afridi, who was recently rested from the Sydney Test against Australia. Rizwan has played 85 T20Is and averages 49.07 with one hundred and 25 half-centuries. However, his strike rate, of 127.30, has been criticised over the last few years.
Rizwan’s appointment is the latest in Pakistan cricket, with the PCB making wholesale changes to their set-up following the disastrous 50-over World Cup campaign where they failed to qualify for the semi-final. After Babar Azam was asked to step down from captaincy, Shaheen was named the T20I skipper with Shan Masood leading the Test side for the next two years.
They refrained from naming an ODI skipper with Pakistan’s next 50-over match in November 2024.
.@iMRizwanPak has been appointed vice-captain of Pakistan's T20I team
pic.twitter.com/0Zu6DcstML
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 8, 2024
Abundance of leadership experience
Rizwan has played 238 T20s in his career and has captaincy experience in 64 matches. He has been the skipper of Pakistan Super League side Multan Sultans since 2021, with the team reaching the final on all three occasions. They won in 2021 but fell short the last two seasons.
After being named the vice-captain, Rizwan said: “It is an honour to be named as the vice-captain of Pakistan Men’s T20I side. I am thankful to the PCB for entrusting me with this responsibility. I am looking forward to working closely with the captain, coaching staff, and my teammates to contribute to the team’s success.”
Rizwan will first take over the duty during the five-match series against the Black Caps, with the first game in Auckland on Friday (January 12).
Pakistan squad for New Zealand T20Is
Pakistan also announced their squad for the series that has Azam Khan as the backup keeper.
PAK T20I squad vs NZ: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc) (wk), Aamir Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Azam Khan (wk), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Usama Mir, and Zaman Khan.
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