WEBDESK: Pakistan’s ODI captain Mohammad Rizwan is set to meet Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Mohsin Naqvi in the next few days to seek clarity regarding his T20I exclusion and to ask for more power in team matters. According to sources, Rizwan is not happy with recent choices made without his input and wants a stronger role in shaping the team’s strategy and lineup.
One of the main issues raised by Mohammad Rizwan is his exclusion – along with former captain Babar Azam – from the T20I series against New Zealand. The series saw a number of young and new players getting a chance under the leadership of Salman Agha. Rizwan believes decisions like this should not be made without consulting the ODI captain, especially when it affects senior players.
“I can’t say anything about T20, it’s not my job, just like here (in ODIs) I do not have all the things in my hands. Neither we knew nor we were consulted (about T20I axing) Â but it was their decision and we accepted that as we have done before,” Rizwan had said after Pakistan’s 3-0 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand.
Reports also suggest that Mohammad Rizwan had disagreements with head coach Aaqib Javed during recent ODI matches. He was particularly frustrated with the use of part-time bowlers in the first two matches of the series when he wanted 5 regular bowlers, which contributed to the team’s underwhelming performance. Pakistan played with four regular bowlers and tried to complete the other ten with part-timers Salman Agha and Irfan Khan. The decision proved costly as the two part timers conceded 118 runs combined.
Mohammad Rizwan is expected to meet with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to discuss these concerns. He is likely to demand more authority in selecting the playing XI and having a say in important team matters. Sources say that if Rizwan’s requests are not addressed, he may consider stepping down as captain.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is also exploring options for a new head coach. They are considering both international coaches and former Pakistani players for the role.
Pakistan players will be busy in the Pakistan Super League until May 18 after which they host Bangladesh for five T20Is.
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