Mohammad Amir criticizes PCB over Mohammad Rizwan withdrawal as Shaheen Afridi named Pakistan’s new ODI captain

Ancient Pakistan quick launcher Mohamed Amir criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board to remove Mohammad Rizwan as Pakistan’s ODI captain and left-arm speedster appointment Shaheen Afridi in his place. The PCB announced the decision on Monday, a move which sparked widespread debate among cricket circles and fans.

Mohammad Amir lashes out at PCB over Mohammad Rizwan’s dismissal

According to Amir, Rizwan’s removal reflects Pakistan’s long-standing problem of inconsistency in leadership decisions. He argued that Rizwan had performed well enough to retain his position and did not deserve to be fired after some disappointing results. In an interview with Geo Super, Amir expressed his disappointment, saying Rizwan showed tactical acumen and composure in difficult situations.

“I don’t think Mohammad Rizwan was treated fairly. Rizwan was not a bad one-day captain. He led Pakistan to series victories in South Africa and Australia, something even some of our greatest captains could not achieve. We should not have forgotten him,” » said Amir.

Rizwan’s tenure as captain began with encouraging successes, including Pakistan’s back-to-back ODI series wins against Australia And South Africa away – achievements rarely achieved by previous captains. However, following Pakistan’s early elimination from the Champions Trophy and subsequent defeats against New Zealand And West Indiesthe PCB opted for a change, signaling Afridi’s elevation as a step towards long-term planning. Amir, however, questioned the logic behind the abrupt change and said the board overreacted to short-term failures rather than assessing overall progress under Rizwan’s leadership.

Also READ: PCB sacks Mohammad Rizwan, appoints Shaheen Afridi as Pakistan’s new ODI captain

Emir calls for stability and structured leadership approach

Amir also explained the need for a consistent approach in team management, warning that frequent captain changes could harm the dressing room environment. He said leadership in international cricket is built through constant trust, communication and planning rather than impulsive decisions driven by temporary results.

“The captaincy should not depend on one good or bad series. We are all responsible for this situation, including former cricketers and analysts. We are not allowing stability in our cricket. Captains are not made overnight; it takes two to three years to build one. But here, one bad series is enough to replace a captain. I don’t think this is the right decision. Rizwan is a smart captain and has this gift of leadership. “ »added the former leader.

Discussing Afridi’s appointment, Amir acknowledged the pacer’s potential but questioned whether it was the right time to hand him the ODI reins. He suggested that the PCB could have experimented with a gradual transition by first appointing Afridi as vice-captain. This would have allowed management to evaluate his leadership under less pressure while giving Rizwan time to regain fitness and confidence before the next big assignment. He also raised concerns over Afridi’s workload, recalling that the young coach has been dealing with repeated injuries and may need to focus on balancing his fitness with his leadership responsibilities.

“If Shaheen was to be made captain, he could have been made vice-captain first and his performance would be judged accordingly, especially considering his physical condition,” Amir concluded.

Shaheen, who once captained Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League and briefly led Pakistan in T20Is, brings some leadership experience but remains relatively new to the format of 50-over cricket. Cricket experts believe his appointment is a testament to the PCB’s attempt to groom a long-term captain for the 2027 World Cup. Yet, as Amir pointed out, for Afridi to succeed, the board must provide stability and lasting support, something Rizwan arguably refused.

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