Reports: Mohammad Rizwan frustrated with PCB for poor treatment, seeks clarity and authority

Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan has expressed frustration over the treatment he and Babar Azam received from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following the team’s disappointing performance in the 2025 Champions Trophy, where they were eliminated in the group-stage.

In the aftermath, the PCB shifted its focus to the 2026 T20 World Cup. As part of their new strategy, the selectors chose an experimental and more aggressive approach, dropping the experienced wicketkeeper-batter Rizwan and the former Pakistan captain from the squad for the five-match T20I series in New Zealand. The team was led by Salman Agha.

Rizwan and Azam, reportedly devastated by the board’s decision, are said to be planning a meeting with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi in the next few days to seek clarity on the T20I selection. According to sources, the right-handed batter is also expected to demand more authority as captain, failing which he may consider stepping down from leadership duties.

“Rizwan will seek more power in the selection of eleven in the match and there is a possibility that if not given full powers then he might resign from ODI captaincy,” said the PCB source.

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Pakistan’s ODI captain reportedly had a heated argument with interim head coach Aaqib Javed over team selection during the ODI series against New Zealand. According to a PCB source, the captain insisted on including five regular bowlers in the playing XI for the first two matches of the series.

The former Pakistan pacer had taken charge of the white-ball team in November last year till the end of the 2025 Champions Trophy. However, the report adds that the PCB is now looking for a few foreign coaches to replace him.

Meanwhile, Pakistan players are currently in training for the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL), which is scheduled to begin on April 11 and run until May 18. Following the PSL, the national team is set to host Bangladesh for a five-match T20I series.