The Ever-Changing Leadership: A Two-Year Saga of Captaincy in Pakistan Cricket – A Complete Timeline

The landscape of Pakistan cricket has been tumultuous, marked by frequent changes in leadership over the past two years. Following a disappointing performance at the 2023 World Cup, where the team failed to reach the semifinals, the Pakistan Cricket Board initiated a series of captaincy changes. Babar Azam stepped down from all formats of captaincy in November 2023, paving the way for Shan Masood in Test cricket and Shaheen Afridi in T20. However, Shaheen was soon removed from T20 leadership, and Babar returned briefly before resigning again after the team was eliminated in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Mohammad Rizwan was subsequently appointed as captain for both formats but faced issues due to poor performance. Most recently, in October 2025, he was replaced by Shaheen Afridi once more for the ODI team, illustrating a cycle of instability and frequent captaincy shifts within the team.

The Pakistan cricket team has become synonymous with uncertainty in its leadership roles over the past two years. The continuous rotation of captains has not only raised eyebrows but has also led to a growing conversation among pundits and fans. This article reflects on the intricate timeline showcasing the changing captaincy within the Pakistan cricket team, diving deep into the reasons behind each transition and the outcomes that followed.

Sommaire :

Toggle

• The Shift Begins: November 2023
• New Faces: Test and T20 Captains Appointed
  • Rapid Changes in Leadership
• 2024 World Cup Woes
  • The Rise and Fall of Mohammad Rizwan
• The Latest Captaincy Shake-Up: October 2025
  • Coaching Conundrums and Performance Issues
• The Shifting Sands of Captaincy in Pakistan Cricket

The Shift Begins: November 2023

In November 2023, a seismic shift was initiated when Babar Azam, who had been at the helm for all three formats, stepped down following the underwhelming performance of the Pakistan team at the World Cup. This resignation opened the floodgates for change that would see a string of captaincy adjustments in subsequent months.

New Faces: Test and T20 Captains Appointed

Following Babar’s exit, Shan Masood was appointed as the Test captain, while fast bowler Shaheen Afridi took on the mantle of T20 captain. These appointments were perceived as attempts to infuse fresh energy into a team that was struggling to find its footing.

Rapid Changes in Leadership

The rapidity of the changes became a topic of interest in cricketing circles. Just five months later, in March 2024, Shaheen was removed from the T20 captaincy after leading the team in just one series, making way for Babar Azam’s return to lead the T20 squad once more, alongside his new role as the One Day International (ODI) captain.

2024 World Cup Woes

Despite the leadership reshuffling, Pakistan’s performance continued to falter. In October 2024, the team was eliminated in the first round of the T20 World Cup, which spelled the end for Babar once again. This marked the end of his second stint as captain without a single ODI match to his name after his reappointment.

The Rise and Fall of Mohammad Rizwan

As 2024 came to a close, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed Mohammad Rizwan as the captain for both T20 and ODI teams. His leadership was short-lived, however, as by March 2025, he faced a sharp decline in form, leading to his removal from the T20 squad. Salman Ali Agha took over, but his tenure was marred by unsatisfactory performances.

The Latest Captaincy Shake-Up: October 2025

Fast forward to October 2025, and fans were once again greeted with news of captaincy upheaval; Rizwan was relieved of his captaincy duties for the ODI team, as Shaheen Afridi was reinstated, further complicating the captaincy landscape. This decision left many questioning the stability and future direction of Pakistan cricket.

Coaching Conundrums and Performance Issues

Adding to the chaos, Salman Ali Agha’s recent performance in the Asia Cup 2025 was dismal, as Pakistan faced three consecutive defeats against India and struggled against other teams. The pressure is mounting for the PCB to make yet another decision regarding the leadership going forward.

These constant changes highlight a troubling trend in Pakistan cricket, as the quest for leadership stability continues, and fans are left wondering who will steer the ship next.

The Shifting Sands of Captaincy in Pakistan Cricket