PCB selection, advisory committees meet to finalise ODI captain

ISLAMABAD: A joint meeting of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection and advisory committees is under way in Islamabad to decide the new captain for the national ODI team, sources said on Monday.

According to sources, the meeting is being attended by Aaqib Javed, Asad Shafiq, head coach Mike Hesson, Azhar Ali and Aleem Dar, former captains Misbah-ul-Haq and Sarfaraz Ahmed have.

The meeting has been convened on the recommendation of head coach Mike Hesson to review the team’s leadership ahead of the upcoming ODI series against South Africa.

Sources said the new ODI captain’s name will be finalised during the meeting and sent to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi for final approval.

Among the leading contenders for the role are Shaheen Afridi and Salman Ali Agha, while Mohammad Rizwan currently holds the position.

Rizwan was appointed captain of Pakistan’s ODI side on October 27 last year, becoming the 31st cricketer to lead the national team in the format.

Under his leadership, Pakistan achieved several notable victories, including a historic series win over Australia in Australia after 22 years, and ODI series triumphs against South Africa and Zimbabwe.

However, Pakistan also suffered defeats in the Champions Trophy, a tri-nation series, and a bilateral series against the West Indies during Rizwan’s captaincy.