Mohammad Rizwan Named Pakistan’s New White-Ball Captain by PCB
In a thrilling announcement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named Mohammad Rizwan as the new captain for Pakistan’s white-ball squad. Known for his grit, resilience, and strategic skill on the field, Rizwan has been a standout figure in Pakistan cricket, evolving from a promising player to one of the most dependable and dynamic cricketers today.
Who is Mohammad Rizwan?
Mohammad Rizwan’s journey has been anything but straightforward. Coming from Peshawar, he made waves on the domestic circuit, but breaking into the national team was a steep uphill climb. For years, Rizwan was Pakistan’s nearly-there player, waiting in the wings behind Sarfaraz Ahmed, the then-first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman. Yet, his dedication and relentless work ethic kept him a strong contender, and Rizwan proved himself ready when the opportunity came.
The Start of an Impressive Career
Rizwan made his ODI debut in April 2015 against Bangladesh, a game that marked the beginning of his international career. Initially, he struggled to find his footing, but his performances in domestic cricket spoke volumes. Averaging nearly 50 in List A matches and consistently scoring in first-class games, Rizwan was hard to overlook.
| Career Stats (ODIs) | Details |
|---|---|
| Matches | 74 |
| Innings | 67 |
| Not Outs | 15 |
| Runs | 2088 |
| Highest Score | 131* |
| Average | 40.15 |
| Balls Faced | 2325 |
| Strike Rate | 89.80 |
| 100s | 3 |
| 50s | 13 |
| 4s | 180 |
| 6s | 21 |
| Catches | 76 |
| Stumpings | 3 |
| ODI Debut | Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Mirpur - April 17, 2015 |
| Latest ODI | Pakistan vs England, Eden Gardens - November 11, 2023 |
A Leader on and off the Field
Since then, Rizwan has gone from strength to strength, both as a batsman and as a leader. His defining moment came in 2020 during Pakistan’s England tour, where his solid performances with the bat and his perfect wicketkeeping earned him the role of vice-captain in Tests. By 2021, Rizwan had shattered records, becoming the highest run-scorer in T20Is for a single year and leading the Multan Sultans to a Pakistan Super League (PSL) title. His commitment and leadership qualities make him a natural fit to lead Pakistan’s white-ball side.
