PCB names Shaheen Shah Afridi as Pakistan's ODI captain

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday appointed left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi as skipper of the national men's ODI team ahead of the three-match home series against South Africa, replacing wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan.

In its statement, the PCB said that Shaheen's appointment for the upcoming series was finalised today following a meeting held in Islamabad, which was attended by white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, Director High Performance Aqib Javed and members of the selection committee.

The 25-year-old fast bowler has represented Pakistan in 66 ODIs and 92 T20Is, taking a combined 249 wickets. In 32 Tests, excluding the ongoing second Test against South Africa at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Shaheen has claimed 120 wickets.

Shaheen previously led Pakistan in five T20Is against New Zealand in their own backyard in 2024.

Following their 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Blackcaps, Afridi was replaced in the role by star batter Babar Azam, who led the side until the ICC Men's T20 World Cup last year.

Rizwan led Pakistan in 20 ODIs, securing nine victories and suffering 11 defeats, with a winning percentage of 45.

The 33-year-old was appointed as both ODI and T20I captain on October 27 last year, ahead of Pakistan’s white-ball tours of Australia and Zimbabwe.

However, his tenure in the shortest format proved disappointing, as Pakistan lost all four T20Is under his leadership.

Following the defeats, Rizwan was removed as T20I captain, and all-rounder Salman Ali Agha was entrusted with leading the side in the shortest format ahead of the upcoming tour of New Zealand.