Mohammad Rizwan removed from ODI captaincyImage Credit source: PTI
Mohammad Rizwan Captaincy: The period of change and turmoil in the Pakistan cricket team is not over. Even after making many changes in coaches and captains last year, this trend has not stopped and now Mohammad Rizwan has been removed from the captaincy of the ODI team. Pakistan Cricket Board recently took this decision, snatched the captaincy from Rizwan and handed over this responsibility to fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. But was Rizwan removed from captaincy only because of the team’s performance? Everyone is asking this question and now a reason behind it is coming to light, which will not be surprising. It is being claimed that the decision to remove Rizwan was taken because every issue in the dressing room was linked to religion.
Just before the ODI series against South Africa, the Pakistani board had recently announced a change in the captaincy of the team. The decision to change the captaincy was taken in the meeting of PCB’s advisory committee and selection committee, including new coach Mike Hesson. Only after this, Rizwan was removed and this responsibility was given to Shaheen, who was made the captain of the T20 team at the beginning of 2024 last year but was removed after only one series.
Did not like religious speeches in the dressing room
While the Pakistani team’s poor performance in the Champions Trophy and then various ODI series is believed to be the reason behind Rizwan’s removal, a report has claimed that Rizwan’s words in the dressing room also went against him. In a report by PTI, quoting sources associated with the Pakistani board, it has been said that Rizwan’s linking of every discussion inside the dressing room with religion has been troubling many players and officials associated with the team and this thing has not been particularly liked by the board including coach Hesson.
Rizwan was in discussions earlier also
Regarding Rizwan, many players of Pakistani team have been saying in the past that the same team has been calling clerics in the hotel and organizing special prayers and speeches for the players, in which the players are asked to offer prayers 5 times. Not only this, on many foreign tours Rizwan has also been in the news for visiting mosques or giving religious speeches in some madrassas.