Shahid Afridi endorses Mohammad Rizwan’s selection as captain for white-ball formats.

Shahid Afridi, the former captain and all-rounder of Pakistan, endorsed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision to designate Mohammad Rizwan as the white-ball captain of the national men’s side.

On Sunday, Rizwan succeeded Babar Azam as Pakistan’s white-ball captain after Babar resigned from the position earlier this month to concentrate more on his playing responsibilities.

Rizwan’s inaugural assignment as captain will be the white-ball series in Australia, commencing on 4 November.

Rizwan, who commenced his white-ball cricket career in 2015, has participated in 74 ODIs and 102 T20Is, amassing 5,401 runs, including four hundreds, and has had 143 dismissals as a wicketkeeper.

Rizwan will assume the role of Pakistan’s 31st captain as he leads the side in the opening ODI against Australia in Melbourne on 4 November. He will be the 12th individual to captain Pakistan in the T20I format during the first match in Brisbane on 14 November.

Concurrently, the esteemed all-rounder Shahid Afridi expressed his enthusiasm for the PCB’s decision to appoint wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan as the team’s captain. He conveyed assurance in Rizwan’s capacity to elevate the white-ball team to unprecedented levels.

Afridi stated on X, formerly Twitter, “If you seek a captain who exemplifies strategy, courage, optimism, vitality, and fervor, Rizwan is your ideal choice.”

“I am delighted that @TheRealPCB has assigned him this significant responsibility.” I am fully confident that he would advance this white-ball team and fulfill the elevated expectations of people who desire the prosperity and success of Pakistan cricket,” he added.

The 32-year-old wicketkeeper will commence his captaincy during the matches against Australia and the ODIs against Zimbabwe, but will be rested for the T20Is against Zimbabwe.

In his absence, vice-captain Salman Ali Agha will command Pakistan in the T20I series against Zimbabwe.