Rizwan vows to foster unity, lead by example

LAHORE: Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s newly-appointed white-ball captain, has pledged to lead by example and foster unity within the national cricket team as they prepare for the upcoming series against Australia.

The 32-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman took over the reins after Babar Azam stepped down earlier this month to focus on his batting. Rizwan’s first assignment as captain will begin on November 4 in Australia with a three-match ODI series followed by three T20Is.

Rizwan, who debuted in white-ball cricket in 2015, discussed his vision for the team. “A captain’s quality is about uniting the entire team, keeping them together, and knowing which player to call upon at critical moments. We have young talent, and this team will look different in this series,” he emphasised. With 74 ODIs and 102 T20Is under his belt, Rizwan is confident his experience will help him lead effectively, not only as a captain but also in his roles as wicketkeeper and batsman.

Reflecting on his personal leadership style, Rizwan stated, “A leader isn’t a leader if he doesn’t lead from the front. If I want something from my players, I have to set the example.” He cited his past experience as vice-captain and captain in Pakistan’s domestic cricket leagues, notably in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), as preparation for this role.

Rizwan’s vision includes a strategy to develop new leaders within the squad. “There should always be a backup captain prepared for Pakistan. I want to develop new leaders and prepare a core group ready to take the team forward,” he explained, underscoring his commitment to succession planning in Pakistani cricket.