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RAWALPINDI: Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has dismissed suggestions that Mohammad Rizwan’s exclusion from the squad for the Australia series signals the end of the wicketkeeper-batter’s career in the format.
Speaking during a press conference ahead of the three-match ODI series against Australia, Shaheen backed the former captain and insisted that being left out of one squad should not be viewed as the end of a player’s international journey.
Rizwan was notably omitted from Pakistan’s squad for the home series, sparking widespread debate about his future in ODI cricket.
The development came amid reports suggesting that white-ball head coach Mike Hesson is looking towards a younger core as part of preparations for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
However, Shaheen stressed that several senior players, including himself and Babar Azam, had experienced setbacks during their careers before returning to the national side.
“Just because Mohammad Rizwan is not part of this series does not mean his career is over. I was dropped once and came back. Babar was also out of the side and has returned,” Shaheen told reporters.
The left-arm pacer explained that the decision was aimed at expanding Pakistan’s options and giving emerging players an opportunity to stake their claim in the ODI setup.
“You have to give opportunities to other players as well. Rohail [Nazir] and Ghazi [Ghouri] are both talented cricketers, and if you want to prepare properly for a World Cup, then different players need to be tested,” he said.
Shaheen Afridi further maintained that continued performances and hard work remain the key factors in earning a return to the national side.
“No player’s career can be finished by you or by me. If someone is working hard and performing, then Allah will reward him with more opportunities,” he added.
Pakistan have included Rohail Nazir and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori as their specialist wicketkeeping options for the Australia series, with the team management looking to assess alternatives ahead of the next ODI World Cup cycle.
Rizwan’s omission comes after a disappointing ODI series against Bangladesh earlier this year, where he managed just 54 runs in three innings at an average of 19.33.
Despite the recent struggles, the experienced wicketkeeper remains one of Pakistan’s most accomplished ODI performers. Since making his debut in the format, Rizwan has scored 2979 runs in 94 ODI innings at an average of 40.80, including four centuries and 19 half-centuries.
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