ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif has launched a scathing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), criticizing the decision to appoint fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi as the new One-Day International (ODI) captain, replacing Mohammad Rizwan. Latif characterized the move as a reflection of a detrimental “divide and rule” policy within the governing body, highlighting the alarming frequency of leadership changes in Pakistan cricket.
The PCB officially confirmed Afridi as the 32nd ODI captain of Pakistan on October 20, 2025, following a meeting in Islamabad. The 24-year-old pacer’s first assignment will be the three-match home series against South Africa, scheduled from November 4 to 8.
Taking to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Rashid Latif shared a detailed timeline of Pakistan’s erratic captaincy changes since March 2023, framing the pattern as a clear sign of instability and mismanagement.
“Shaheen Shah Afridi named ODI captain,” Latif wrote. “The ‘divide and rule’ policy is a political strategy to gain and maintain power by creating and exploiting divisions within a population, such as religious, ethnic, or team-based differences. Pakistan is the only country that cannot even produce a decent captain or leader.”
Latif’s strong remarks underscore a period of intense volatility in Pakistan’s cricket leadership.
Mohammad Rizwan had taken over the ODI and T20I captaincy in October 2024 after Babar Azam’s resignation. During his time as ODI captain, Rizwan led Pakistan in 20 ODIs, securing nine wins and suffering 11 losses, resulting in a 45% winning record.
While Rizwan achieved notable initial success—including a historic 2-1 series win in Australia in November 2024, the country’s first there in 22 years, and a 3-0 home whitewash against South Africa—his team faced setbacks in 2025. This included an early exit from the Champions Trophy and a 2-1 series defeat in the West Indies.
Shaheen Afridi previously had a brief stint as the T20I captain in January 2024, where Pakistan lost the five-match series against New Zealand 4-1 before he was replaced by Babar Azam.
The PCB officially confirmed Afridi as the 32nd ODI captain of Pakistan on October 20, 2025, following a meeting in Islamabad. The 24-year-old pacer’s first assignment will be the three-match home series against South Africa, scheduled from November 4 to 8.
Taking to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Rashid Latif shared a detailed timeline of Pakistan’s erratic captaincy changes since March 2023, framing the pattern as a clear sign of instability and mismanagement.
“Shaheen Shah Afridi named ODI captain,” Latif wrote. “The ‘divide and rule’ policy is a political strategy to gain and maintain power by creating and exploiting divisions within a population, such as religious, ethnic, or team-based differences. Pakistan is the only country that cannot even produce a decent captain or leader.”
Latif’s strong remarks underscore a period of intense volatility in Pakistan’s cricket leadership.
Mohammad Rizwan had taken over the ODI and T20I captaincy in October 2024 after Babar Azam’s resignation. During his time as ODI captain, Rizwan led Pakistan in 20 ODIs, securing nine wins and suffering 11 losses, resulting in a 45% winning record.
While Rizwan achieved notable initial success—including a historic 2-1 series win in Australia in November 2024, the country’s first there in 22 years, and a 3-0 home whitewash against South Africa—his team faced setbacks in 2025. This included an early exit from the Champions Trophy and a 2-1 series defeat in the West Indies.
Shaheen Afridi previously had a brief stint as the T20I captain in January 2024, where Pakistan lost the five-match series against New Zealand 4-1 before he was replaced by Babar Azam.
