The 2025–26 Big Bash League began with huge expectations around Pakistan’s biggest cricketing names, but the much-hyped debuts of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi ended in disappointment, triggering mixed reactions from fans and experts alike.

Babar Azam’s BBL journey started under the spotlight on December 14, when he turned out for the Sydney Sixers against Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium. Rain reduced the contest to an 11-overs-a-side affair, putting immediate pressure on batters to adapt. Opening the innings, Babar looked uncomfortable against the extra bounce and pace on offer. He managed just 2 runs from 5 balls before edging a delivery from debutant Brody Couch and being caught at mid-on. The early dismissal was a stark contrast to the excitement around his signing, with the Sixers even unveiling a special “Babaristan” fan zone to welcome their marquee recruit.

Challenging Australian conditions test Rizwan and Shaheen on debut

The following day, December 15, saw Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi make their debuts in the clash between Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat at Simonds Stadium, Geelong. Rizwan, batting at No. 3 for the Renegades, attempted to play more aggressively than usual but failed to find rhythm. He struggled for timing and scored only 4 runs off 10 deliveries before falling to spinner Paddy Dooley. Despite his lack of contribution, the Renegades piled up a massive 212/5, courtesy of a blistering century from Tim Seifert.

Shaheen Afridi’s outing with the ball was arguably the toughest. Drafted as Brisbane Heat’s No. 1 pick, the left-arm pacer began well but quickly lost control in the death overs. He bowled two dangerous waist-high beamers in the 18th over and was subsequently taken out of the attack. Shaheen ended with figures of 0/43 in just 2.4 overs, conceding runs through no-balls and wides as the batters went after him.

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These early struggles highlight how challenging Australian conditions can be, especially for players adjusting to bounce, pace and franchise pressure. While social media labelled it a “horrible start” for the Pakistan trio, many also called for patience. With the season just beginning, the spotlight now shifts to how quickly Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen can respond and turn promise into performance.

Twitter reacts as Pakistan stars endure nightmare BBL debuts

🚨INAUSPICIOUS START🚨

Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan made their BBL debuts over the last couple of days.

Babar - 2 (5)
Rizwan - 4 (10)
Shaheen - 0 (3) and 0/43 in 2.4 overs

😶😶#BBL15 pic.twitter.com/OeAwUPnXH3

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) December 15, 2025

Pakistani Premium players on BBL debut.

Ling Boobzy - 2 runs off 5 balls.
Actor Rizwan - 4 runs off 10 balls.
Polio Bowler - 43 runs in 2.4 overs.

And they want to win World Cup 2026😭🙏 pic.twitter.com/suCOprg1hh

— Haydos🛡️ (@GovindIstOdraza) December 15, 2025

The Trio of Pakistan Looks off Color in BBL15 Opening Matches

Sixers, Babar 2 (5)
Renegades, Rizwan 4 (10)
Strikers, Shaheen 0-43

All three have a potential to Comeback stronger#BBL15 #shaheenafridi #rizwan #BabarAzam pic.twitter.com/mBGnOZvJ43

— Usman Khan (@usmann_khann) December 15, 2025

Pakistan’s premium pacer Shaheen Afridi on his BBL Debut 😬 pic.twitter.com/6d7aNp87Ck

— CRICKETNMORE (@cricketnmore) December 15, 2025

𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧!

After Babar Azam failed in his debut match of the BBL, Another two big stars of Pakistan, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, also failed in their debut BBL game.#BBL15 | #Cricket | #GreenTeam | #OurGameOurPassion | #KhelKaJunoon pic.twitter.com/9MopwvJqsL

— Green Team (@GreenTeam1992) December 15, 2025

Pakistan superstars on BBL debut.

Babar Azam - 2 runs off 5 balls.
Muhammad Rizwan - 4 runs off 10 balls.
Shaheen Afridi - 43 runs in 2.4 overs.

Yrrr plzzz ab aglay matches main apni aur pakistan ki ezat bacha lena...#BabarAzam𓃵 #mrizwan #shaheenafridi pic.twitter.com/FlBRt4orrx

— Saadi (@Saadi_910) December 15, 2025

Three Pakistan stars struggle to shine on their BBL debut #BBL2025 pic.twitter.com/wnDWcGG9kb

— 𝑨𝙗𝒅𝙪𝒍𝙡𝒂𝙝 𝙎𝒖𝙡𝒕𝙖𝒏⁵⁶ (@Abdullahs_56) December 15, 2025

One of the special signings of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025/26 was the Pakistan wicket-keeper batter and the former captain, Mohammad Rizwan, who got the chance to feature for the Melbourne Renegades, who faced Brisbane Heat in their opening clash at the Simonds Stadium in Geelong. He walked out at number three in the opening fixture of the competition.

On the opening day of the competition, Babar Azam, the former Pakistan captain and their best batter of the current generation, returned for just two runs in five balls, which was a disappointing start to the campaign. Mohammad Rizwan was expected to have a better show, but he failed to impress the franchise and the fans.

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On the fourth ball of the seventh over, Rizwan looked to sweep the good-length delivery from Pattrick Dooley over the square leg region, but he didn’t get the full elevation off the blade as the ball flew in the air. Max Bryant settled himself around the boundary rope and dismissed the right-handed batter for four runs in 10 balls at a strike rate of 40.

Mohammad Rizwan dismissed for 4 in BBL 2025/26 debut

Jake Fraser-McGurk, at number four, managed only 14 runs in seven runs at number four with one four and one six at a strike rate of 200. But Oliver Peake and Tim Seifert posted a strong 121-run partnership for the fourth wicket in just 54 balls, which provided them with firepower in the middle.

Watch the video here: 

Paddy Dooley gets the wicket of Muhammad Rizwan!

Having played one match previously for the Heat in BBL|11, it's a first wicket in teal for Dools in his comeback game 🩵 #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/6C0YaX2VTc

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 15, 2025

Peake nailed 57 runs in just 29 balls at a strike rate of around 196 with the help of six boundaries and three sixes, while Seifert celebrated a glorious knock of 102 runs in 56 balls at a strike rate of 182.14, smashing nine boundaries and six sixes as the Renegades finished on 212/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

Jack Wildermuth was at the peak of the bowlers with figures of 3/34 in four overs. Shaheen Shah Afridi went through a terrible day with the ball as he was taken off the attack with two beamers, as he ended with figures of 0/43 in 2.4 overs.

The 2025/26 season of the Big Bash League (BBL) featured a strong and long list of Pakistan players who were picked by various franchises in the draft. Three of the seven players collected platinum category selections in the opening round. It began with the Brisbane Heat selecting the left-arm pacer, Shaheen Shah Afridi, as their first pick.

It added a different firepower to the Heat’s team as they will have four secure over which can be used in the powerplay, middle, or the death overs. Melbourne Stars retained their premier pacer, Harris Rauf, through the retention mode after he was picked by Adelaide Strikers.

See Also: Know full schedule, squads, and live streaming of ACC Men’s U-19 Asia Cup 2025

Meanwhile, the former ODI captain and the wicket-keeper batter of the Pakistan side, Mohammad Rizwan, was drafted by Melbourne Renegades- this marks his debut in the league. Later, the rounds saw more Pakistan talents getting picked by their franchises.

List of Pakistan players picked in upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26

Babar Azam will turn up for the Sydney Sixers in the BBL 2025/26. If schedule works out as anticipated, then he could end up opening the batting for the Pink side along with Steve Smith, who may play a few games after the end of the ongoing Ashes 2025/26. Smith was in excellent touch with the bat in the last edition.

The leg spin all-rounder of the side, Shadab Khan, was picked by the Sydney Thunder. He was expected to share the same dressing room with the former spin all-rounder of India, Ravichandran Ashwin, who, however, was later ruled out of the tournament with a knee injury.

The pace bowling all-rounder, Hasan Ali, will move to Adelaide for the upcoming event, while Hassan Khan will be partnering Rizwan for the Melbourne Renegades side. The event will begin on December 14 between the Sixers and Perth Scorchers at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

List of Pakistan players and their teams in BBL 2025/26

An unusual incident happened during the 2nd Test match of Pakistan vs South Africa (PAK vs. SA 2nd Test). Mohammad Rizwan, at the batter's end, did an unpredictable act, which forced the fielding side to ask for an out. 

The two-match Test series ended with a 1-1 scoreline. Pakistan won the first match of the competition; in the second game, it was South Africa who turned the table. In the second innings of the match, the touring team bowled out Pakistan for only 138 runs and shifted the momentum of the match completely. In both innings of the match, South Africa outplayed Pakistan, though their batting order collapsed at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. 

As it was expected, the pitch was spin-friendly. Pakistan went to bat first in the first innings and scored 333 runs in exchange for all ten wickets. In reply, South Africa registered 404 runs in their first innings. Then, in the second innings, 36-year-old spinner Simon Harmer trapped Pakistani batters with his spin bowling. In the series, cricket fans saw multiple veteran spin bowlers do some splendid blowing for their respective sides. Harmer took 6 wickets in his 20-over spell to restrict the home team to only 138 runs. South Africa needed only 68 runs to win the match, and they did it. 

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Mohammad Rizwan out or not out?

Out or Not Out 🤔

- Mohammad Rizwan 🇵🇰 did something unbelievable 🙄pic.twitter.com/HOAcXg1xqz

— Richard Kettleborough (@RichKettle07) October 24, 2025

During the second innings, when Pakistan was batting, Rizwan did something unexpected. After playing a delivery on his front leg, the experienced batter turned and hit the stumps with his bat. South African fielders asked for an out to the umpire, but the umpire remained still. A video of the incident is now on the internet. 

Cricket fans are curious to know why the umpires did not welcome the decision with an out decision. Actually, it was the last ball of an innings break. Rizwan gently pushed the ball for a dot and showed no intention to run for a single. The momentum of the ball was their about to end after it came out of the bat. So, the umpire was not intimidated by the application by the fielders. 

On the last ball of the third day of the second Test between Pakistan and South Africa at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Mohammad Rizwan could have been given hit-wicket out after he drove the pitched-up delivery into the hands of the cover fielder and took the bails off with his bat as the Protea wicket-keeper, Kyle Verrynne, threw his hands up in appeal immediately. 

The umpire hadn’t yet called stumps, and the fielder, who had collected the ball, hadn’t thrown it back to the wicket-keeper. Thus, the ball was not yet dead. Umpire Sharfuddoula waved off the appeals with a smile as he got backing from the square-leg umpire, Chris Brown.

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Batters do, occasionally, take the bails off, generally with their hands rather than bats, though it’s almost done after the ball is called dead and the umpires made stumps for the day. None of those criteria were met, leading the tourists to believe that it might be legitimate to give the batter out.

Explained: Was Mohammed Rizwan out on hit-wicket during PAK vs SA 2nd Test

Law 35.1 suggests that a batter can only be given out hit-wicket after the bowler has entered their delivery stride.

• In the course of any action taken by them in preparing to receive or in receiving a delivery.
• In setting off for the first run immediately after playing or playing with the ball.
• If no attempt is made to play the ball, in setting off for the first run.
• In lawfully making a second or further stroke for the purpose of guarding their wicket.

None of those points were met by the wicket-keeper’s actions, and it remains unclear how committed the Rainbow Nation was to appeal. They let the incident go a few minutes later, as Senuran Muthusamy claimed that he wasn’t aware of the incident due to fielding away from the middle.

South Africa looked a huge lead of over 50 runs thanks to their batting contribution from the number nine, 10, and 11 as Kagiso Rabada smashed a fine half-century with the bat while Muthusamy remained unbeaten on 89 runs to shoulder them over the 400-run mark. 

Mohammad Rizwan, the wicket-keeper batter of the Pakistan side, could have been dismissed through a hit-wicket dismissal on the last ball of the third day during the second Test against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. He made a massive mistake, which the umpires could have sent upstairs and ruled him out. 

On the last ball of the day, against the left-arm spinner of the Protea side, Keshav Maharaj, the Pakistan wicket-keeper drove the ball to the extra-cover region and dislodged the bails with the bat and started to walk towards the home dressing room, thinking that the umpire Sharfuddoula had called it ‘over’ before the moment took place.

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But the wicket-keeper of South Africa, Kyle Verreynne, wasn’t satisfied with the act and appealed to the umpire. He had an intense chat with both umpires, even though Sharfuddoula seemed not to be interested in the entire scenario. Pakistan had already been struggling with four wickets down for the second innings’ lead of 23 runs.

Watch: Mohammad Rizwan gets saved from controversial hit-wicket dismissal in PAK vs SA Lahore Test

In the first innings, the home side ended with 333 runs in 113.4 overs. Both Abduallah Shafique and their captain, Shan Masood, celebrated their respective half-centuries in the first innings along with Saud Shakeel, who cracked 66 runs. Salman Agha also notched up a fine knock of 45 runs in 76 balls with the help of five boundaries.

Rizwan clearly was hit wicket because ball was still in play. This actor should resist. I don't know why South Africans didn't appeal extravagantly. Umpires should at least have a look upstairs. pic.twitter.com/lhFgb1K7ys

— Mustafa (@mustafamasood0) October 22, 2025

In reply, the South African side got reduced to 235/8 in their first innings with the bat. But then came two fifty-run stands for the ninth and last wickets. Senuran Muthusamy recorded an unbeaten 89 runs in 155 balls at a strike rate of around 60 with eight boundaries, while Kagiso Rabada clubbed 71 runs at number eleven to get themselves over the 400-run mark.

In reply, Pakistan lost their three wickets quite early in the third innings of the clash. But later, Babar Azam took care of the last hour of the day. He remained unbeaten on 49 runs in 83 balls, scoring seven boundaries at a strike rate of 59.04.

On Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officially named Shaheen Shah Afridi as the new captain of the Pakistan men’s ODI team, succeeding Mohammad Rizwan. The announcement marks a major leadership change ahead of the upcoming international season.

According to reports from TimesofIndia.com, Rizwan’s removal was not purely performance-related but stemmed from internal disagreements with the board. The wicketkeeper-batter reportedly declined to participate in promotional activities involving betting companies, which created tension with PCB officials.

Rizwan, known for his strong values and principles, has often taken a stand on moral and ethical grounds. His refusal to endorse betting brands is said to have played a decisive role in the leadership shift. With Afridi taking over, PCB is aiming for a fresh direction, while Rizwan’s decision continues to draw mixed reactions from fans and cricketing circles.

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Reason of Rizwan’s Captaincy Snub:

A PCB insider revealed to TimesofIndia.com,” Rizwan had informed the PCB that he wouldn’t endorse betting companies, which is the main reason behind his sacking. He was against the PCB’s collaboration with surrogate betting firms.”

Earlier in the year, during his stint with St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Rizwan declined to endorse a betting company. He opted to play without the primary sponsor’s logo, which represented a gambling brand, choosing to stay true to his personal beliefs.

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif suggested that another possible reason behind Mohammad Rizwan’s removal as ODI captain could be his outspoken stance on the Palestine issue. Latif hinted that Rizwan’s strong public comments may have influenced the Pakistan Cricket Board’s final decision.

On his YouTube channel Rashid Latif said, “ If he has spoken about Palestine, will you remove him from captaincy? This mindset that there would be non-Islamic captains in an Islamic country is abysmal.”

Shaheen Shah Afridi has been named Pakistan’s ODI captain for the upcoming three-match series against South Africa, set to be held at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad from November 4 to 8.

His appointment was confirmed after a key meeting in Islamabad that included white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, Director of High Performance Aqib Javed, and several members of the selection committee. The decision reflects the board’s confidence in Shaheen’s leadership abilities as Pakistan looks to build momentum ahead of future international commitments.

Pakistan’s Leadership Puzzle Continues to Shift:

Since 2023, Pakistan cricket has seen constant captaincy reshuffles, with several players taking charge across formats under varying PCB regimes. The sequence began on March 13, 2023, when Shadab Khan was named skipper for the T20I series against Afghanistan in Sharjah during Najam Sethi’s tenure.

On November 15, 2023, Pakistan cricket underwent a major leadership change as Babar Azam resigned from captaincy across all formats. Under Zaka Ashraf’s administration, Shaheen Shah Afridi was appointed T20I captain, while Shan Masood was entrusted with leading the Test side, marking a new phase in Pakistan’s leadership transition.

On March 29, 2024, Pakistan’s captaincy saga continued as Shaheen Afridi was removed from his white-ball leadership role by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. Two days later, Babar Azam was reinstated as T20I captain to guide the team in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

However, Babar’s comeback didn’t last long. On October 1, 2024, he stepped down once again from white-ball captaincy. Soon after, Mohammad Rizwan took over the role on October 27, 2024, under the same administration. This frequent change of leadership highlighted the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Pakistan cricket’s direction and stability.

The captaincy shuffle carried on into 2025, with Salman Ali Agha taking over as T20I captain on March 4, marking yet another leadership shift. Later, on October 20, 2025, Shaheen Shah Afridi reclaimed a leadership role, this time being appointed Pakistan’s ODI captain once again under Mohsin Naqvi’s administration.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sacked Mohammad Rizwan as their ODI captain, with the left-arm veteran pacer, Shaheen Shah Afridi, getting the responsibility. The decision was announced by the board shortly after the end of the opening day of the second Rawalpindi Test against South Afridi where both these two individuals were performing.

No reason has been handed in the statement for replacing Rizwan for Pakistan. The wicket-keeper batter hasn’t even be mentioned in the statement. The board decided after the meeting in Islamabad between the selection committee and the white-ball head coach, Mike Hesson.

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Rizwan’s removal was all but inevitable when the board put the statement over the weekend declining to confirm Rizwan as the ODI captain ahead of the white-ball leg of the Protea series. It however revealed that Hesson had asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, to arrange the meeting with the selection and advisory committee to appoint the new leader of the side.

Shaheen Shah Afridi named as Pakistan’s ODI captain ahead of South Africa series

Afridi’s last foray as the white-ball captain wasn’t a happy experience as he was asked to lead the T20I side for the series against New Zealand in January last year. They ended up losing it by 4-1 margin before he was replaced in similar circumstances to Rizwan’s sacking at the moment with the chairman pointedly refusing the statement of confirming that he would continue in the role.

Pakistan will now have three different captains across the formats with Shan Masood shouldering the responsibility of the longest format and Salman Ali Agha taking over the T20I leadership. Since becoming the ODI captain last year, Rizwan is four runs short of the highest scorer for the national side with an average of just under 42. He led them to series win in Australia and South Africa in 2024.

Afridi pulls on the good form in the format as he was their leading wicket-taker last year in ODI cricket. He was central to their away wins in the Rainbow and Australia. Since the start of the 2023 World Cup, no fast bowler from a Fill Member nation has more wickets than his 45, which have come at more than two wickets a game.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reportedly called a joint meeting of the national selection committee and advisory board on Monday in Lahore. In a statement, the PCB confirmed that Mike Hesson, the head coach of Pakistan’s white-ball teams, had written to Naqvi asking for the meeting to discuss ODI team matters and captaincy.

According to PTI, the meeting suggests that Hesson might push for a change in captaincy as part of his plans. However, it remains to be seen whether his suggestions will be accepted by the PCB officials in Lahore.

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No Decision Yet on ODI Captaincy

“No decision has been taken on the ODI captaincy. The chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has asked the selectors and advisors to meet on Monday to discuss the matter,” the statement said.

There are rumours that Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, or Salman Ali Agha — who led Pakistan in the 2025 Asia Cup final — could replace Mohammad Rizwan as ODI captain.

🚨 CANDIDATES FOR ODI CAPTAINCY 🚨

- Babar, Shaheen & Agha are in contention for the ODI captaincy.

- Rizwan is also unlikely to be part of the ODI squad if he’s removed from captaincy. (Sohail Imran) pic.twitter.com/kTKN6r59PU

— Sheri. (@CallMeSheri1_) October 18, 2025

PCB Officials to Discuss Captaincy Options

The selectors’ panel includes Aaqib Javed, Asad Shafiq, Aleem Dar, and Azhar Ali, while the advisors are former Test players Sarfaraz Ahmed and Sikander Bakht. Sarfaraz and Sikander directly report to Naqvi and advise him on all cricket matters.

Rizwan, who has been out of Pakistan’s T20 setup since December 2024 along with Babar Azam, led Pakistan to ODI series wins in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. However, the team’s form dipped during the home tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.

The struggles continued, as Pakistan lost back-to-back ODI series in New Zealand and the West Indies. Pakistan will now host South Africa for a three-match ODI series on November 4, 6, and 8 as part of their ongoing tour.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that it has not yet chosen a captain for the national men’s team ahead of the upcoming home ODI series against South Africa. White-ball head coach Mike Hesson has requested a joint meeting between the Selection Committee and the Advisory Committee to make a final decision on who will lead the side in the three-match series.

According to the PCB, Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has forwarded Hesson’s letter to the two committees, who will meet on October 20 to decide the matter. Sources close to the board said that the talks about a potential leadership change are linked to Pakistan’s preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, a suggestion believed to have come from Hesson himself.

The committees have reportedly been in discussions with a potential candidate who has asked for a guaranteed captaincy term until the 2027 World Cup and full freedom in team decisions.

ODI Captaincy: Rizwan under pressure

The PCB’s statement notably made no mention of Mohammad Rizwan, who was appointed Pakistan’s ODI captain last year. His status now appears uncertain, with the board indicating that the leadership role is still open.

Rizwan has led Pakistan to ODI series victories in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, but 2025 has been a difficult year for the side, including a loss in the home tri-series final to New Zealand, an early Champions Trophy exit, and a series defeat in the West Indies.

Despite this, Rizwan’s personal form has remained strong. He is Pakistan’s second-highest ODI run-scorer in 2025, with 361 runs at an average above 36, and also made a valuable 75-run contribution in the ongoing Test series against South Africa.

However, insiders suggest that Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, and Salman Ali Agha are in contention to replace Rizwan, with Afridi reportedly the frontrunner.

Shaheen’s redemption arc

Afridi’s name in the captaincy discussion is significant, considering his previous experience as T20I captain, a position he lost soon after Mohsin Naqvi became PCB Chairman. Naqvi had declined to confirm Afridi’s future as captain at the time, insisting that the board wanted a “long-term solution.”

Within a week, Afridi was replaced by Babar Azam, a move that sparked controversy after the PCB issued a statement under Afridi’s name which he claimed he never approved. The matter has since cooled, and sources suggest that Afridi’s relationship with the PCB has significantly improved under Hesson’s tenure.

Although Hesson does not hold the power to appoint the captain, the fact that Naqvi agreed to put the matter before both committees suggests that Hesson’s influence within the PCB setup has grown considerably.

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South Africa’s tour of Pakistan – Full Schedule

South Africa Squads

T20I Squad
David Miller (C), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams.

ODI Squad
Matthew Breetzke (C), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile.

Test Squad
Aiden Markram (C), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton (WK), Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne (WK).

Pakistan Squads

Test Squad
Shan Masood (C), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afrid, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (WK), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

T20I Squad: TBA
ODI Squad: TBA

Decision expected soon

The PCB has confirmed that the joint committee meeting to decide on the ODI captain will take place on October 20, with a final decision likely to follow immediately after.

For now, Rizwan remains Pakistan’s ODI captain in name, but with Hesson pushing for long-term leadership stability and Afridi’s growing influence, a change appears increasingly inevitable.