Mohammad Rizwan appointed as T20I Vice-Captain

Pakistan Cricket: Mohammad Rizwan appointed as T20I Vice-Captain

Shadab Khan's position will be filled by Mohammad Rizwan, who will collaborate closely with Shaheen Shah Afridi, the newly appointed full-time T20I captain.

(Cricket News) Before the team’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand, the Pakistan Cricket Board [PCB] has named wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan vice-captain. Rizwan takes over for Shadab Khan, who missed the New Zealand tour due to an ankle injury and is currently recovering.

The appointment of 31-year-old Rizwan, who will serve as a deputy to Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was named captain of the T20I team, is the most recent in a string of changes that have occurred in the Pakistan leadership group and board structure since Babar Azam resigned as captain from all formats of the game following the 2023 ODI World Cup, where Pakistan finished fifth on the table with just four wins in nine matches and did not qualify for the knockout stages.

Having led Pakistan in two Test matches against New Zealand in late 2020 and early 2021 after Babar was ruled out due to a fractured right thumb, Rizwan has previous experience leading both internationally and domestically.

Since joining Multan Sultans in the PSL in 2021, he has captained the team, which won the title in 2021 and qualified for the finals in 2022 and 2023. In total, Rizwan has led in 238 T20 matches.
Rizwan said, “It is an honor to be named as the vice-captain of the Pakistan Men’s T20I side. I am thankful to the PCB for entrusting me with this responsibility.

I am looking forward to working closely with the captain, coaching staff, and my teammates to contribute to the team’s success.” Rizwan has an impressive T20I record, having amassed 2797 runs in 73 innings at an average of 49.07, with 25 half-centuries and one century. He has also claimed 41 catches and 11 stumpings.

Pakistan, who are slated to play five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in New Zealand, will be hoping that a change in format will bring about a change in fortune after suffering a humiliating 3-0 Test Aseries loss against Australia.

The first T20I is set to begin on January 12 in Auckland, and the remaining games will be played in Dunedin, Hamilton, and Christchurch.

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