Shaheen Shah Afridi reveals reason behind taking up Pakistans ODI captaincy

New Delhi: In what comes as an interesting revelation, Pakistan speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi has revealed the reason for taking up Pakistan's ODI captaincy. Shaheen was first appointed as the national T20 skipper back in 2023 following the team's dismal run the ODI World Cup 2023 under Babar Azam.

But just a few months with Shaheen at the helm, Pakistan's fate did not change on the field in the shortest format forcing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reinstates Azam as the skipper in the shortest format. Meanwhile in 2025, the fast bowler was named as the team's captain in the 50-over format after Mohammad Rizwan stepped away.

Shaheen reveals reason

On Tuesday in a big revelation, Shaheen had divulged details about how and why he chose to become the captain of the ODI team. He has said that it was only after his predecessor Rizwan said that he would step down from the role, he took over the responsibility.

He further revealed that he took the responsibility from the PCB after discussing the matter in depth with Rizwan, who no longer expressed interest in being at the helm. Shaheen further said that Rizwan was the only person he had a discussion with where he asked him about how he felt that he would accept the big role.

Interacting with media, he further said that it was Rizwan who decided himself that he would make way for him and that's how the things worked out. The left-arm pacer had led in only one T20I series - a five-game encounter against New Zealand away from home in this period.

Full support from Rizwan

The Pakistan pacer additionally said that Rizwan had assured him of full support and it was he who encouraged him to take the big role. He also added that as a skipper, he would back Babar and Rizwan as they were the key players in the team with lots of experience.

'I have no ego and I talk to everyone for advice, even our former captains. I don't look at things that happened in the past,' he said.

'Everyone has to take responsibility if you want to improve as a team,' the 25-year-old said, adding, You can't keep on saying Babar, Rizwan or Fakhar will do it, it is as a team we have to click and take responsibility.

He also said that he wished to lead Pakistan at the ODI World Cup 2027.