Rawalpindi: Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi on Friday strongly rejected the suggestion that he has ruled out wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan from the ODI series against Australia, which is coming to the end of his international career.
Shaheen, who replaced Rizwan as the ODI captain after Pakistan’s 2-1 series defeat against the West Indies in August 2025, insisted the wicketkeeper batsman’s international career was far from over.
“Mohammed Rizwan’s non-participation in the series does not mean his career is over. I was dropped once and came back. Babar also dropped out of the team and came back,” Shaheen told reporters at the pre-series press conference at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium earlier today.
The skipper clarified that the aim is to give opportunities to youngsters like Rohail Naseer and Muhammad Kazi Ghauri to prove their mettle as they look at squad selection ahead of the ICC Men’s World Cup 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
“You have to give opportunities to other players as well. Both Rohail and Ghazi are talented cricketers and if you have to prepare properly for a World Cup, different players have to be tested,” Shaheen said.
“You or I cannot end any player’s career. If one works hard and performs well, Allah will give him more opportunities.”
Former skipper Rizwan, who led Pakistan to successive ODI series wins against Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa after starting his captaincy in late 2024, failed to retain his spot as a player following a poor showing against Bangladesh.
The 33-year-old was replaced by fellow wicketkeeper-batsman Rohail in the Green Shirts squad for the three-match domestic series against Australia, scheduled for May 30 to June 4, while Gowri retained his place after making his debut against Bangladesh in March.
The development came hours after reports said Hesson was not in favor of Rizwan’s inclusion in the ODI set-up following the T20 format results, indicating a possible change in Pakistan’s white-ball direction, and said he was not considered for the 2027 World Cup.
Having amassed 2979 runs in 94 innings at a healthy average of 40.80, Rizwan’s dismissal from ODIs has been the subject of debate among cricket fans, some of whom accused Hesson of unfairness against the wicketkeeper batsman.