Pakistan’s white-ball cricket captain, Mohammad Rizwan, has highlighted the impactful potential of teammate Fakhar Zaman while assuring fans that his leadership will not drastically alter the team’s structure. Speaking to the media ahead of Pakistan’s tour of Australia, Rizwan reflected on past strategies and laid out his vision for a collaborative leadership approach.
Rizwan credited former head coach Aaqib Javed’s tactics, especially regarding spin-friendly pitches, as key to Pakistan’s success in 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 noted. However, he acknowledged the limitations of these strategies in Australian conditions, where spin might not be as effective. “The pitches in Australia are not under Aaqib Javed’s control. The conditions there are different and tough. We have worked hard, and I hope for good results,” he remarked.
The captain also praised Fakhar Zaman’s ability to shift the momentum of a game, though he acknowledged that team selection ultimately lies with the board. “Fakhar Zaman is a player who can impact the game significantly… He has the ability to turn a match on his own,” Rizwan stated.
Regarding the coaching scenario, Rizwan expressed his commitment to a steady approach, underlining that board and management decisions guide the team’s direction. He views his captaincy not as an aspiration but as a duty. “Whoever comes as a coach, the decisions are up to the board and management… I never aspired to the captaincy position and accepted it as ‘a responsibility bestowed upon him by Allah,’” he explained.
Rizwan’s ultimate goal is to foster a team with multiple leaders. He emphasized that he aims for continuity, drawing on his experience under former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed. “I want to ensure that when I leave, there are multiple leaders within the team,” he said, underscoring the importance of sustaining the team’s culture beyond his tenure.
Looking ahead, Rizwan spoke about finalizing T20 batting positions for the Champions Trophy and expressed optimism for future matchups, particularly with India. He recalled the positive response from Indian fans during Pakistan’s recent tour and expressed hope that Pakistanis would offer the same hospitality when India visits in the future, though decisions on participation remain with the board.
With Pakistan gearing up for challenging fixtures, Rizwan’s balanced approach, respect for past contributions, and focus on developing shared leadership signal a promising era for Pakistan cricket.
