Pakistan’s white-ball cricket captain, Mohammad Rizwan, acknowledged teammate Fakhar Zaman’s potential impact on the game while emphasizing that his leadership won’t bring significant changes to the current team setup.
Before departing for the upcoming tour in Australia, Rizwan addressed the media, highlighting the positive influence of former head coach Aaqib Javed’s strategies, particularly regarding the creation of spin-friendly pitches for home matches. “Aaqib Javed’s decisions have proven beneficial for the team. We can achieve success by making spin-friendly pitches for our home series,” Rizwan remarked.
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Rizwan also discussed the challenges posed by Australia’s conditions, noting that Javed’s strategies may not be effective there. “The pitches in Australia are not under Aaqib Javed’s control. The conditions are different and tough. We have worked hard, and I hope for good results,” he stated.
On the topic of Zaman’s exclusion, Rizwan praised his game-changing abilities, saying, “Fakhar Zaman is a player who can impact the game significantly. However, the decisions regarding the team are not in our hands. He has the ability to turn a match on his own.”
Rizwan stressed that ultimate decisions rest with the board and management, indicating that he views the captaincy as a responsibility rather than a personal ambition. “Whoever comes as a coach, the decisions are up to the board and management. If my opinion is sought, I will certainly provide it. There will not be a sudden transformation with my captaincy,” he explained, emphasizing that he never aspired to the captaincy position.
Rizwan expressed his desire for shared leadership within the team, stating, “I want to ensure that when I leave, there are multiple leaders within the team.” He reflected on his contributions during former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed’s tenure, underscoring the importance of continuity in leadership.
Looking ahead to the Champions Trophy, Rizwan mentioned that the team will finalize T20 batting positions as they prepare for the tournament. He also recalled the warm reception received from Indian fans during Pakistan’s recent tour in India and expressed confidence that the Pakistani public would reciprocate when hosting India in the future. However, he acknowledged that decisions regarding participation are ultimately made by the board.
