Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has made a bold statement, suggesting that Mohammad Rizwan should be appointed as the team’s One-Day International (ODI) captain with immediate effect.
Ali’s comments come after Rizwan’s impressive performance as captain of the Markhors in the Champions One-Day Cup 2024. In their recent match against the Stallions, Rizwan’s team secured a comfortable 126-run victory.
Impressed by Rizwan’s leadership skills, Ali praised his ability to read the pitch and make astute tactical decisions. He even went so far as to suggest that Rizwan is a better captain than current skipper Babar Azam.
“There is no better captain than Rizwan in Pakistan,” Ali said. “He read the pitch perfectly, and even Babar Azam can’t do that. I am not even talking about Shan Masood. If you don’t make Rizwan captain at this time, then it is a loss for Pakistan. This is the best time to promote him as skipper.”
Babar has faced criticism for his captaincy in recent times, particularly after Pakistan’s disappointing performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the ICC T20 World Cup. His batting form has also come under scrutiny.
In contrast, Rizwan has consistently delivered impressive performances both as a batter and a wicketkeeper. His ability to lead from the front and his tactical acumen have made him a strong contender for the captaincy role.
As the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) continues to evaluate the team’s performance and look for ways to improve, Rizwan’s name is increasingly being mentioned as a potential solution to the captaincy conundrum.