Pakistan's newly-appointed white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan hopeful of beating Australia on their soil
Pakistan's new white-ball skipper Mohammad Rizwan has expressed hope of beating Australia on their home turf.
Rizwan replaced Babar Azam to become the skipper of the national squad which received a blow this year after they failed to cross the group stage of the T20 World Cup.
In a video released by the Pakistan Cricket Board, Rizwan said:"There is no doubt we have always faced difficulties in Australia."
"But I believe the team going now will meet the nation's expectations," he said.
"We are hopeful we will beat Australia in Australia," he said.
🗣️ @iMRizwanPak shares his thoughts on being appointed Pakistan's white-ball captain, expressing his commitment to fulfilling this responsibility and taking the team forward 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/SzroybEGKv
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 28, 2024
"We all need to fight there," he said.
Rizwan said his team needs to prepare for the Champions League, World Cup and Olympics.
"We are all having a vision. We need to set our vision for the World Cup, Champions Trophy and even Olympics. We will fight all obstacles," he said.
The 32-year-old Rizwan, who debuted in white-ball cricket in 2015, has played 74 ODIs and 102 T20Is to date, scoring 5,401 runs with four centuries and accounting for 143 dismissals behind the stumps.
As he leads the team in the opening ODI against Australia in Melbourne on 4 November, Rizwan will become Pakistan’s 31st captain.
For the first T20I in Brisbane on 14 November, he will be the 12th to captain Pakistan in the format.
Mohammad Rizwan said: "I am deeply honoured to be appointed as Pakistan’s white-ball captain. Representing Pakistan on the global stage is the greatest privilege and to now be entrusted with leading such a talented and exciting group of players is a tremendous honour. Joining the ranks of some of Pakistan’s legendary limited-overs captains truly is the icing on the cake."
Gary Kirsten quits
India's 2011 World Cup winning coach Gary Kirsten, who was recently appointed by Pakistan, on Monday quit as white-ball coach of the country.
Jason Gillespie will play the role of head coach in Australia, Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed.
"The Pakistan Cricket Board today announced Jason Gillespie will coach the Pakistan men’s cricket team on next month’s white-ball tour of Australia after Gary Kirsten submitted his resignation, which was accepted," read a statement issued by the PCB.
Pakistani cricketers Ahmed Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez after Gary Kirsten resigned from the position.
Another day Another Humiliation for PCB Management. Empty promises & lies don't go well with everyone🛑.We have to stick to our words, if we want to survive in MODERN day cricket!☑️#GaryKirsten #PakistanCricket #PCB pic.twitter.com/qeoGSoIvl1
— Ahmad Shahzad 🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadshahzad) October 28, 2024
Shahzad wrote on X: "Another day Another Humiliation for PCB Management. Empty promises & lies don't go well with everyone.We have to stick to our words, if we want to survive in MODERN day cricket."
Total Incompetence #Chaos
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) October 28, 2024
Hafeez expressed his disappointment and wrote on the micro-blogging platform: " Total Incompetence #Chaos."