In a fresh twist to Pakistan’s cricket leadership saga, the Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed Shaheen Shah Afridi as the new captain of the men’s ODI team, replacing Mohammad Rizwan just weeks before the upcoming series against South Africa. The three-match series is set to take place at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad from November 4 to 8.

The decision, confirmed on Monday, has stirred debate across cricket circles, with sources suggesting Rizwan’s removal was tied to his refusal to endorse betting-related sponsors. According to reports, Rizwan had expressed his discomfort with the PCB’s commercial partnerships involving surrogate betting firms, a stance that reportedly led to his exit from the leadership role.

The disagreement traces back to Rizwan’s stint in the Caribbean Premier League earlier this year, where he declined to wear a jersey featuring a betting sponsor’s logo while playing for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. His choice to play without the branding was seen as a principled stand, but one that clashed with the board’s commercial commitments.

Shaheen’s reappointment was finalised during a meeting in Islamabad attended by white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, Director High Performance Aqib Javed and members of the selection committee. He will now lead the team into the South Africa series, marking yet another shift in Pakistan’s captaincy landscape.

Since 2023, Pakistan cricket has seen a revolving door of leadership changes. The reshuffle began with Shadab Khan leading the T20I side against Afghanistan in March 2023. Later that year, Babar Azam stepped down from all formats, prompting Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood to take over the T20I and Test squads respectively under Zaka Ashraf’s tenure.

In March 2024, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi reinstated Babar Azam for the T20 World Cup, replacing Shaheen. However, Babar resigned again in October 2024, paving the way for Rizwan’s brief stint as white-ball captain. The changes continued into 2025, with Salman Ali Agha named T20I captain in March and Shaheen Afridi returning as ODI captain in October.

Rizwan’s removal has reignited discussions around the influence of commercial interests in cricket and the ethical boundaries players navigate. His stance has drawn both support and criticism, highlighting the tension between personal values and professional obligations.

As Shaheen Shah Afridi steps back into the captaincy role, the PCB aims to restore stability in a team that has seen frequent leadership changes. Whether this move brings consistency or further controversy remains to be seen as Pakistan prepares for its next international challenge.