The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) removed Mohammad Rizwan from his position as ODI captain, replacing him with bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi in yet another significant shuffle in the squad. Given that Rizwan took over as team captain in October last year after Babar Azam relinquished his position in the 50-over format, the move comes at a time when it was least anticipated.
Additionally, Shaheen was recently fired as Pakistan's T20I captain, hence many were also taken aback by his selection as the new captain.
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has blamed head coach Mike Hesson for the decision. Latif further expressed that Hesson made the choice because Rizwan openly backed Palestine in the conflict against Israel.
"Just because he picked up the Palestine flag, you would sack him as captain? This mindset has come that a non-Islamic captain should come in an Islamic country," Latif said in a video shared on social media.
"Mike Hesson is the one behind this decision, right? He isn't someone who likes this culture in the dressing room. Why aren't they understanding? He has a team of 5-6 people. He would want to finish such a culture in the dressing room. We never cared about these things, even in times when Inzamam ul Haq, Saeed Anwar or Saqlain Mushtaq were in the team," he further said.
Latif also stated in the video that Hesson didn't appreciate that Rizwan, as captain, brought Islamic rituals into the dressing room.
According to former Pakistan Captain Rashid Latif said Rizwan was removed from captaincy because he spoke for people of palestine and brought religious practices in the team which hesson didnt liked.#ShaheenAfridi#PakistanCricket#CricketTwitterpic.twitter.com/8CMCn2CIjN— Mustafa (@mustafamasood0) October 20, 2025
During a match in April earlier this year, Rizwan famously promised to donate 100,000 Pakistani Rupees to Palestinian charity through his PSL team, the Multan Sultans, for each six and wicket his players took.
The victory of Pakistan over Sri Lanka in an ODI World Cup match back in 2023 was dedicated to "brothers and sisters in Gaza" by Rizwan.
In the official statement, the PCB did not name Rizwan or provide an explanation for his dismissal. The board said the decision was made after the selection committee met with Hesson in Islamabad.
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