Former players Rashid Latif and Mohammad Amir have criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for removing Mohammad Rizwan as ODI captain. Shaheen Shah Afridi replaced him, even though Rizwan led Pakistan to rare series wins in Australia and South Africa. However, the team’s recent poor performance in the Champions Trophy may have influenced the decision. Critics believe the move was rushed and unfair to Rizwan.
.@iShaheenAfridi appointed Pakistan’s 32nd ODI captain
He is set to lead the team in the upcoming ODI series South Africa in Faisalabad#PAKvSA | #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/9OtbVR0d4w
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 20, 2025
Rashid Latif said the PCB is using a “divide and rule” strategy to keep players unstable and divided. He noted that ten captaincy changes have occurred under three different PCB leaderships in just two years. According to him, this pattern reflects poor planning rather than cricketing logic. He warned that constant changes hurt team performance and morale.
Read more: Mohammad Amir Criticizes Decision to Replace Rizwan as Captain
Mohammad Amir also defended Rizwan, calling him a smart and capable captain. He said Rizwan should have remained in charge or at least been made vice-captain. Amir argued that performance in a single series should not decide a captain’s fate. He pointed out that Rizwan succeeded where others had failed and didn’t deserve to be sidelined.
Shaheen Shah Afridi named ODI captain
“divide and rule” policy is a political strategy to gain and maintain power by creating and exploiting divisions within a population, such as religious, ethnic, cricket teams or class differences.
Pakistan is the only country that cannot… pic.twitter.com/YkQvHojeiH
— Rashid Latif | (@iRashidLatif68) October 20, 2025
Other analysts also raised concerns. Dr. Nauman Niaz highlighted that Shan Masood has lost nine of 13 Tests as captain but still holds his position. He criticised the PCB for showing leniency toward some players while being harsh on others. He also questioned the poor T20I record of current captain Salman Ali Agha.
Read more: Shaheen Afridi replaces Rizwan as ODI captain
Meanwhile, a video of Rashid Latif went viral online, where he claimed Rizwan’s outspoken support for Palestine played a role in his removal. He said head coach Mike Hesson disliked the dressing room culture Rizwan promoted. This added a new dimension to the debate, making Rizwan’s removal even more controversial.