Is Pakistan Looking for a New ODI Captain?

Pakistan may once again be looking for a new ODI captain soon, with reports in foreign and local media suggesting that Mohammad Rizwan is set to hold talks with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi in the coming days, as uncertainty over his role and future in the national side continues to deepen.

Rizwan has reportedly been left frustrated by his exclusion from the T20I squad and his diminishing influence over team decisions. He is expected to meet Naqvi alongside star batter Babar Azam. Both senior players are seeking clarity on their roles within Pakistan’s white-ball setup — and, crucially, a greater say in selection matters moving forward.

The discontent comes on the back of a difficult period for Pakistan cricket. The national team endured a miserable run of results, failing to register a single win in the Champions Trophy, before being humbled 4-1 in a T20I series and swept 3-0 in the ODIs against New Zealand. All the defeats in the 50-over games came under Rizwan’s leadership, with Salman Ali Agha replacing him as T20 captain.

According to a senior PCB official, Rizwan is particularly unhappy with the decision to drop him and Babar for the five-match T20I series in New Zealand — a move aimed at testing younger talent under the captaincy of Salman Agha.

“Rizwan plans to meet the PCB chairman soon to discuss the reasons behind his omission and his future role in the T20I setup,” a source close to the skipper confirmed.

Things did not improve under Salman’s leadership, opening a door to a potential recall for Babar and Rizwan in the shortest format.

But Rizwan’s frustrations go beyond selection snubs. The 31-year-old, who took charge as Pakistan’s white-ball captain in October last year, is reported to have clashed with interim head coach Aaqib Javed over team strategy during the ODI series in New Zealand.

“He wants more authority when it comes to selecting the playing XI,” the source revealed. “And if that doesn’t happen, stepping down from the ODI captaincy is very much on the table.”

The uncertainty isn’t limited to Rizwan’s future. The PCB is reportedly exploring options for a new head coach, with foreign candidates and former Pakistan players both in consideration. The board is expected to finalize coaching appointments after the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League on May 18.

Pakistan’s next assignment is a five-match T20I series at home against Bangladesh. Who will be part of that team and who will captain it remains to be seen.