Mohammad Rizwan’s tenure as captain of the Pakistan cricket team could be coming to a premature end following Pakistan’s unceremonious exit from the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Former cricketers are already suggesting potential candidates to take up the role in the event of Rizwan’s removal. Former leg-spinner Danish Kaneria is one such expert who has put forward his recommendation for Pakistan’s next captain.
In a recent interview, Kaneria emphasized that Fakhar Zaman should be the next person to take up the reins as Pakistan captain, citing his fearless approach to the game and the significant impact he could bring to the team. “He is fearless and will challenge you. He brings the X-factor,” Kaneria remarked.
Fakhar, who was ruled out of the Champions Trophy due to an injury, was sorely missed, according to Kaneria. “During the Pakistan-India match, Pakistan did not have him. It must be acknowledged that he is an X-factor player,” he added.
Kaneria also expressed disappointment with the current team management, suggesting that Fakhar was not receiving adequate support due to concerns over disrupting the dominance of Pakistan captains Babar Azam and Rizwan. “He is not given much support because it would disrupt Babar and Rizwan’s dominance. But he is a hardworking and courageous cricketer,” Kaneria said.
The former spinner further criticized Pakistan’s selection system, calling for a performance-driven approach rather than one influenced by personal connections of captains or public relations.
He argued that players who fail to deliver results should be held accountable. “If they do not produce results, they should be asked to pack their bags and leave. There should be strict guidelines. But here, teams are selected based on friendship and PR,” Kaneria criticized. “When you build a team for your country, personal interests should not come first.”
While discussions about replacing Rizwan as Pakistan’s captain may seem premature, the goodwill he once enjoyed is quickly eroding. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to take decisive action against the team management and several players as they look to build a side capable of meeting the demands of modern cricket.