Shaheen Shah Afridi becomes third Pakistan ODI captain in 12 months; fans joke ‘captainship captainship khel rahe he’

Chaos in Pakistan cricket refused to end as the Board on Tuesday appointed Shaheen Shah Afridi as the new ODI skipper of the side, replacing Mohammad Rizwan. Shaheen Afridi's first assignment will the ODI series against South Africa, starting on November 3.

The axing of Rizwan was on card after the wicketkeeper-batter led the Pakistan to a disastrous ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign before bilateral series losses in New Zealand and the West Indies. Having been handed captaincy in 2024, Rizwan had success during his initial days.

Under Rizwan, Pakistan won ODI series in South Africa, Australia and Zimbabwe. But his recent failures led the management appoint Shaheen Afridi, for a second term. The left-arm pacer has led Pakistan in five T20Is against New Zealand for a short period after 2023 ODI World Cup.

Shaheen Afridi has been leading Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League for the last few years. “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,” a release by PCB said on Monday.