Twitter Reacts After Shaheen Replaces Rizwan

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi as the new captain of the national ODI team, replacing Mohammad Rizwan.

Rizwan was removed after Pakistan delivered inconsistent performances, including an early Champions Trophy exit and a 2–1 series loss against the West Indies in August.

The PCB finalised the appointment of Afridi during a meeting in Islamabad attended by head coach Mike Hesson, Aaqib Javed, and members of the selection committee.

The official statement from board confirmed the appointment of Afridi but did not disclose the duration of his tenure as the ODI captain of the national team.

Soon after the official announcement, former cricketers, journalists, and cricket fans criticised the PCB on social media platforms for the unnecessary decision.

Here are some of the reactions on Twitter:

Shaheen Shah Afridi named ODI captain

"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, cricket teams or class differences.

Pakistan is the only country that cannot… pic.twitter.com/YkQvHojeiH
— Rashid Latif | 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) October 20, 2025

پاکستانی شائقینِ کرکٹ کےلیےپیغام! فیصل آباد ہو راولپنڈی کراچی یا لاہور! کرکٹ اسٹیڈیم جانےوالے تماشائی اپنے ساتھ پلےکارڈز پر رضوان سے اظہارِیکجہتی کےپیغامات لکھ کر اسٹیڈیم جائیں۔ دنیا کو بتائیں کہ محمدرضوان سے ناانصافی کرکے کپتانی چھینی گئی ہے! #StayStrongRizwan #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/0pMnvUb3co
— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) October 20, 2025

According to former Pakistan Captain Rashid Latif said Rizwan was removed from captaincy because he spoke for people of palestine and brought religious practices in the team which hesson didnt liked.#ShaheenAfridi #PakistanCricket #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/8CMCn2CIjN
— Mustafa (@mustafamasood0) October 20, 2025

Just Bcz of a single tournament ur shit board have showen their auqaat, well my boy is not just a player in odi he's a clutch in odi have some shame pcb.🙏#PakistanCricket #ShaheenAfridi pic.twitter.com/RIB3gdCxDC
— 𝑨𝙗𝒅𝙪𝒍𝙡𝒂𝙝 𝙎𝒖𝙡𝒕𝙖𝒏⁵⁶ (@Abdullahs_56) October 20, 2025

First he betrayed Babar for the captaincy… and now Rizwan faces the same injustice. 😞💔 If a change was needed it should’ve been in T20 not ODI the board has no reason no logic just chaos. 😡😡😡#PakistanCricket #BabarAzam𓃵 pic.twitter.com/WswAy0hLGZ
— maha (BA56)^_^🎀 (@mahabilal297758) October 20, 2025

Stay strong brother. Time writes every story, and yours will prove you stood on the right side @iMRizwanPak #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/ydb8FR0urU
— Au Rangzab Younis (@SardarAurangzab) October 20, 2025

Pakistan cricket team change captain quickly than my mind 🤦#PakistanCricket #ShaheenAfridi #HappyDiwali pic.twitter.com/4JGN3Yl7tZ
— its Shruti (@Shruti_v31) October 21, 2025

Pakistan Cricket Board giving tribute to 11-0 #ShaheenAfridi #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/uz8z8fu5Dh
— Rainbow Salt (@Rainbowsalt91) October 21, 2025

Sacking Mohammad Rizwan, who clinched ODI series in Australia & South Africa, is a bold misstep by Hesson & Aqib. Captaincy isn’t a daily fashion choice, stability wins. BCCI & SENA shows how it’s done. Keep Rizwan. pic.twitter.com/h4L34aZh5y
— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) October 21, 2025

Mohammad Amir slams Shaheen’s ODI captaincy 😮
Says Rizwan didn’t deserve to be replaced! 🇵🇰🔥#MohammadAmir #ShaheenAfridi #MohammadRizwan #PakistanCricket #CricketNews #ODICaptaincy #PCB pic.twitter.com/jH8gW9mB1a
— myco Sports (@myco_sports) October 21, 2025