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Pakistan all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed has defended Mohammad Rizwan, supporting the Multan Sultans captain to continue leading the ODI side despite the surrounding criticism.
Rizwan’s captaincy has faced intense criticism in recent weeks due to notable setbacks experienced by Pakistan under his leadership.
The team was eliminated from the group stage of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, followed by a disappointing white-ball tour to New Zealand.
However, Iftikhar, known for his blunt remarks, does not believe the narrative that Rizwan’s time is over as Pakistan’s captain.
“For me, if you compare everywhere, I think Rizwan is the best option,” Iftikhar Ahmed said during a recent interview.
“It’s not because he’s my friend or because we both represent Multan Sultans. If you assess the available options with a performance lens, not a personal one, Rizwan still stands out — and more importantly, he has the ability to improve.”
It’s worth noting that Rizwan’s track record in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) remains a strong argument in his favour.
Since taking over the reins of Multan Sultans, he has led them to four consecutive finals, including a title win in 2021 — a level of consistency few franchises have matched in recent PSL history.
That said, PSL 10 hasn’t started the way Multan fans would’ve hoped, with the team losing their first two matches.
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