PCB announces Mohammad Rizwan as Shaheen Afridi’s deputy

Prior to the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named wicketkeeper-battler Mohammad Rizwan as the vice-captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team. Shadab Khan has been replaced as the Men in Green’s vice captain by star batter Pakistan. Since Babar Azam resigned as captain of all game formats after the 2023 ODI World Cup, there have been several changes to the Pakistani leadership group and board structure. Rizwan’s appointment is the most recent of these changes.

Rizwan has prior experience in both domestic and international leadership roles. In two Test matches against New Zealand in late 2020 and early 2021, Babar captained Pakistan following his absence due to a fractured right thumb. Since 2021, Rizwan has captained the Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League. The Sultans advanced to the finals in 2022 and 2023 and won the championship in 2021 under his direction. Out of the 238 T20s he has played in, he has led 64 of them.

“It is a privilege to be selected as Pakistan Men’s T20I vice captain. I am appreciative that the PCB gave me this responsibility. In an interview with the Pakistan Cricket Board, Rizwan stated, “I am excited to collaborate closely with the captain, coaching staff, and my teammates to contribute to the team’s success.” Rizwan has an amazing T20I record of 2797 runs in 73 innings at an average of 49.07, with 25 half-centuries and one century, despite criticism in recent years for his strike rate of 127.30. In addition, he has made 11 stumpings and claimed 41 catches.

Pakistan will tour New Zealand for the five-match T20I series, with the first game scheduled for Friday in Auckland, following a 3-0 loss to Australia in the three-match Test series. The series’ final two Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) will be played in Christchurch after the third T20I is played in Dunedin and the second T20I is played in Hamilton.