Former Pakistani Cricketer Want Mohammad Rizwan to Become Captain

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has publicly endorsed Mohammad Rizwan to take over as captain of the national limited-overs team, suggesting that failing to appoint him would be a significant loss for Pakistan.

Basit Ali’s comments come amid ongoing discussions about the future leadership of the team, particularly in light of recent performances and strategic decisions by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali praised the leadership skills of Mohammad Rizwan, highlighting his recent success in guiding the Markhors to a decisive victory over the Stallions in the Champions One-Day Cup. Basit Ali emphasized Rizwan’s exceptional ability to read pitch conditions, a skill he believes surpasses that of current white-ball captain Babar Azam and Test captain Shan Masood. He stated,

The way Mohammad Rizwan led the side, he proved there is no better skipper than him. He has shown it with his captaincy. He read the pitch; it is a big thing. Even Babar can’t do that. I am not even talking about Shan. If you don’t make him captain at this time, then it is a loss for Pakistan. This is the best time you should make Rizwan the captain.

Babar Azam’s leadership has been under scrutiny, particularly after the PCB chose not to appoint him as captain for the ongoing Champions Cup, where he is playing under Mohammad Haris for the Stallions. This decision has fueled speculation about his future as the captain of Pakistan’s white-ball team. Check out the full video here:

The PCB is reportedly considering appointing a new captain for the upcoming series against Australia, where Pakistan will play three T20Is and three ODIs. White-ball head coach Gary Kirsten has already discussed potential leadership changes with board officials during his visit in July.