Mike Hesson’s role revealed in ‘Palestine-related’ plot behind Mohammad Rizwan’s dismissal
The Pakistan Cricket Board on Monday named pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi as ODI skipper, just weeks before Pakistan’s ODI series against South Africa begins on November 4. Mohammad Rizwan was sacked after a meeting between head coach Mike Hesson and the selection committee in Islamabad.
Shaheen will lead Pakistan in the three-match ODI series against South Africa in Faisalabad from November 4-8. The PCB made the announcement shortly after the opening day of the ongoing Test between the two teams in Rawalpindi. Notably, the board did not mention the reason for the removal of Mohammad Rizwan.
Mohammad Rizwan removed as ODI captain amid declining form
According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, head coach Mike Hesson had asked chairman Mohsin Naqvi to hold a meeting with the selection and advisory committee to decide on the new management.
Your daily dose of cricket!
This decision was not initiated solely by Hesson, but had strong support from senior PCB officials. The final decision was made in Islamabad after discussions involving Hesson and the selection panel.
Rizwan began his captaincy with Pakistan, achieving ODI series victories in Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. However, the team’s performances have declined in recent months, winning just one of their last nine ODIs and enduring a winless Champions Trophy campaign.
Mohammad Rizwan carried the Palestinian flag – Rashid Latif criticizes Mike Hesson
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has expressed concerns over the removal of Mohammad Rizwan as ODI skipper. The former wicketkeeper-batsman also said that Mike Hesson did not like Rizwan carrying the Palestine flag.
“I learned that Rizwan is no longer the captain. If he was carrying the flag of Palestine, is that why you removed him as captain? It seems that this mindset has developed: in an Islamic country, a non-Islamic captain will take charge.”
“Mike Hesson gave these instructions. Maybe he didn’t appreciate our culture. He was in the locker room. Why can’t he understand these people? They have a group of five or six members who seem determined to end our culture.”
According to Rashid Latif, Mohammad Rizwan was removed as captain because he spoke openly for Palestine and Mike Hesson did not like the culture he brought into the dressing room.pic.twitter.com/YUoKfsqz8q
– Hassan Abbasian (@HassanAbbasian) October 20, 2025
Shaheen Shah Afridi last led Pakistan in a T20I series in New Zealand
Shaheen Shah Afridi led Pakistan’s T20I team to a 4-1 series defeat against New Zealand in January 2024 before being replaced by Babar Azam. Now he has another opportunity to lead the ODI. The left-handed hitter hopes to continue his role until the 2027 World Cup.
After Pakistan’s heavy defeats against India in the 2025 Asia Cup, where Salman Agha faced criticism, Afridi is also a strong contender for the T20I captaincy.
Rizwan averaged nearly 42 runs per innings as ODI skipper. Under his leadership, Pakistan enjoyed ODI series victories in Australia and South Africa in 2024, but their form subsequently dipped, including an early elimination from the Champions Trophy at home.
Shaheen was Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker last year and played a key role in their series wins in South Africa and Australia. Since the 2023 World Cup, no fast bowler from a full member country has taken more wickets than Afridi’s 45.
Also read: No one is safe in Indian cricket: Matthew Hayden’s full tirade on Gautam Gambhir
