Shaheen Afridi new ODI captain of Pakistan marks a bold & dramatic change in the structure of the national team. The decision to remove Mohammad Rizwan from the leadership role surprised fans & experts.

Today, in this article we will look at possible reasons for Shaheen Afridi new ODI captain for pakistan on Mediafeed.

Why Shaheen Afridi New ODI Captain for Pakistan ?

Shaheen Afridi at age 25 already has an impressive record. The player has appeared in over 66 ODIs & taken more than 130 wickets. Shaheen is known for his energy, accuracy & ability to take wickets early in the innings. The previous short captaincy stint in T20Is was mixed, but the board still believes in his potential. The PCB wants to shape him into a long-term leader for Pakistan’s white-ball cricket.

Shaheen as the Pakistan ODI team captain 2025 has the job of leading the side into a new era. The dual role as a key bowler & leader will test his control & decision-making. The success of this phase will depend on how well he handles both duties. The change shows that the PCB wants to build leadership depth in its white-ball format.

Why there is Change in ODI Captaincy of Pakistan?

The PCB announced that Shaheen Shah Afridi will now lead the Pakistan ODI team. The selection committee & coach met in Islamabad & finalized the decision before the three-match series with South Africa. The new leadership shows a clear effort to reset the team strategy & ambitions for the coming tournaments.

Mohammad Rizwan took over as ODI captain in October 2024 during a changing phase for Pakistan’s white-ball setup.

Captain	Matches as ODI Captain	Wins	Losses	Win %
Rizwan	Approx. 20	9	11	~45%

The Rizwan guided Pakistan to a few good wins like an away victory in Australia & a home series win over Zimbabwe. The team could not maintain steady performance across all tournaments.

What Went Wrong for Pakistan in ODI Cricket?

Results Pressure & Key Failures:

The Pakistan team failed to progress in the Champions Trophy 2025 & also lost a home series to West Indies. The PCB did not mention Rizwan by name in the change announcement. The move clearly showed that the board wanted to start fresh & build a new identity under different leadership.

Leadership & Team Dynamics:

The PCB felt that new leadership might motivate both bowlers & batsmen. The Shaheen brings passion, control & respect from players. The Rizwan had too many duties as keeper & batter which made it difficult to manage everything. The board felt that a fast bowler captain could bring new energy & smart tactics to the group.

Captaincy Shuffle:

The move continues the trend of leadership changes in Pakistan Cricket. The board made three captaincy changes in ODIs in the past 12 months. The management now looks focused on finding a long-term solution instead of quick replacements. The PCB wants stable leadership before the next big ICC events.

Why Mohammad Rizwan Removed From Captaincy?

The decision to replace Rizwan came after an internal meeting between selectors, coach & PCB top officials. The official statement focused on Shaheen’s appointment & avoided criticism of Rizwan. The message from the board was simple — the team needed a new direction before the next set of international matches.

Key Factors Behind the Change:

The inconsistent results made the board rethink leadership. The Rizwan had some great moments but lacked dominance in key series. The board also felt a change would bring new motivation. The 2027 World Cup is near & Pakistan wants a settled leader before that. The change is also part of a plan to rebuild the ODI squad with new ideas & balance.

The upcoming series against South Africa gives a perfect chance for Pakistan to test the new leadership & build momentum for the coming months.

What are the Challenges for the New ODI Captain Shaheen Afridi?

Shaheen must handle the challenge of balancing bowling & leadership. The need to keep calm under pressure & make strong on-field calls is crucial. The early series will test his confidence & connection with senior players. The ability to maintain team spirit through this shift will define his success. The critics will watch his performance closely because leadership changes in Pakistan always attract attention.

Conclusion

Shaheen Afridi new ODI captain marks the start of a new chapter in Pakistan Cricket. The PCB’s decision to remove Mohammad Rizwan from captaincy shows its urgency to build a strong & future-ready team. The Rizwan still remains one of the best performers with the bat & gloves.

The shift in leadership reflects a deeper plan for long-term consistency & discipline. The coming months will reveal if Shaheen can balance performance with leadership pressure. The Pakistan fans now hope this move brings unity, confidence & success back to the national team.

Also Read: Pakistan T20 Squad for South Africa