Rizwan to Captain ODI Squad with Mix of Experience and New Blood
Pakistan's selectors have decided to keep Mohammad Rizwan at the helm for the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies. It’s a choice that underlines both stability and continuity, coming just after Pakistan’s tough loss to Bangladesh in the T20Is. Rizwan’s leadership will be supported by veterans like Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, while the inclusion of rising talent Hasan Nawaz, still waiting for his international debut, adds a fresh twist to the 16-member lineup.
The ODI leg is set for August 8, 10, and 12 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago. The venue is no stranger to high-stakes cricket, and with the spotlight firmly on Rizwan, fans are looking for a rebound after Pakistan’s recent slip in form.
Babar Azam’s presence is a reassuring one. After a challenging few months, his role as a senior pro will be key—both on the field and in the dressing room. Shaheen Shah Afridi, still one of the most exciting pacers in the world, brings much-needed firepower to the bowling lineup. Hasan Nawaz is the only uncapped player, a young batter who has turned heads in domestic cricket. His first international tour could be a turning point, or just the start of a memorable journey.
Salman Ali Agha Gets T20I Nod
For the T20I segment, selectors have handed the captain’s armband to Salman Ali Agha. This is his first shot at leading the national side, and it comes with a 15-member squad built around a blend of seasoned T20 survivors and returning quicks.
Pace is the theme for Pakistan’s T20Is, with Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali re-entering after some time on the sidelines. Shaheen Afridi will be part of both ODI and T20I squads, giving Pakistan an experienced pace battery. The squad also includes wicketkeepers Mohammad Haris and Sahibzada Farhan, who each bring something unique behind the stumps and with the bat.
The three T20s are scheduled for July 31, August 2, and August 3 in Lauderhill, Florida, at Central Broward Park—a ground where the crowds are boisterous and the conditions often favor big hitters. Pakistan’s tour kicks off soon after they fly out to the US on July 27. The timing means players barely have a breather after their Bangladesh campaign, nudging them straight back into the intensity of international cricket.
Pakistan’s back-to-back assignments signal a big phase for the team—a mix of redemption, opportunity, and fresh leadership. All eyes will be on whether Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha can set a new tone on overseas turf, and whether new faces manage to claim their moment under the Caribbean and American sun.