Pakistan’s newly appointed white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan expressed optimism that the upcoming Australia tour will help his revamped squad find their footing following a period of upheaval. Rizwan, who took over the captaincy from Babar Azam after his two terms, aims to lead the team to better performances after a series of disappointing tournament results.
The team’s challenges intensified with the recent resignation of white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten, who stepped down just days before the Australia tour due to selection disagreements. Jason Gillespie, the Test coach, will temporarily take over coaching duties for the limited-overs formats. Rizwan acknowledged the turmoil but emphasized the need for the team to adapt and come together quickly.
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The tour will kick off with three one-day internationals in Melbourne starting November 4, followed by an equal number of T20 matches. Rizwan noted the absence of openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq due to fitness and disciplinary issues but remains focused on testing various combinations to prepare for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
Key players such as Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah have been recalled for the series after being dropped for the last two Tests against England. The ODI squad also features several players like Aamer Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Faisal Akram, Haseebullah, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Saim Ayub, who are yet to make their debut in the format.
Rizwan emphasized the importance of teamwork, stating that regardless of who is coaching, the squad needs to work cohesively to achieve positive results on this challenging tour. Pakistan has struggled historically in Australia, winning only two of their last 16 ODIs and losing three of four T20Is.
