Pakistan cricket is back, and they’re back in style in the ODI format. After a disastrous 2024, the squad under the savvy leadership of Mohammad Rizwan has won three consecutive ODI series and appears unstoppable at the moment. They hammered South Africa in their backyard on Sunday, becoming the first team to defeat the Proteas 3-0 at home in an ODI. The team is balanced from all angles.
They have discovered a winning formula. As their all three ODIs against the Proteas were one-sided. Pakistan has always had formidable speed bowling attacks, but the rise of Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem has revealed two secret spin bowling gems. Both Abrar and Muqeem are exceptional spinners who will be difficult to beat in the Champions Trophy. Furthermore, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah comprise a formidable pace-bowling combination.
This makes them strong challengers for the forthcoming Champions Trophy. Pakistan discovered a diamond, and he demonstrated his worth by scoring two hundred in the ODI series against South Africa. Despite his current slump, Abdullah Shafique remains a great player who has previously generated results. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam are renowned match-winners. They understand their home conditions and will pose a challenge to any team.
Rizwan to Handle the Pressure of Leading Pakistan
They also identified Tayyab Tahir and Kamran Ghulam, two promising players, bringing the team’s total to six quality batters. Rizwan has joined Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Mahela Jayawardene as Asian captains who have whitewashed SENA sides in SENA countries. He is the fourth captain to achieve so. Rizwan took captaincy responsibilities in white-ball cricket when Babar Azam announced his resignation.
His first stint came against Australia. Rizwan’s reign as Pakistan captain began with a batting setback in his first ODI, but he recovered to lead the Men in Green to two victories and a 2-1 series victory. Pakistan was defeated in T20Is but sealed a whitewash in ODIs against South Africa before losing in T20Is. Pakistan’s next assignment is a two-match Test series against South Africa, however, Shan Masood will captain the team.
