Rizwan emphasizes inclusive approach ahead of Melbourne ODI

• Mohammad Rizwan says players can share their ideas with him.
• Skipper assures a consultative approach going forward.
• Will support Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, says Rizwan.
  

LAHORE: As Pakistan prepares for their first ODI against Australia, Green Shirts captain Mohammad Rizwan on Sunday provided key insights into his approach as captain of the team in his first stint as skipper.

Underscoring an inclusive approach to leadership while speaking during a pre-series media address at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Rizwan said: “For me, everyone is a captain, if they feel they have something good, they can share [with me]”.

Rizwan’s remarks come before he leads the team as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed him as the captain of the white-ball team after Babar Azam stepped down from the post last month.

The team will be coached by Jason Gillespie, who took over as white-ball coach for the tour of Australia after Gary Kirsten stepped down due to differences with the board.

Despite facing a coaching setback, the national team will look to capitalize on Gillespie’s presence and the former Australian cricketer’s familiarity with home conditions.

Responding to a question about the inclusion of Babar and Shaheen in the line-up – after the duo were rested in the two Tests against the recently concluded England series – Rizwan praised the two stars along with paceman Naseem Shah saying the trio have given excellent performances for Pakistan.

“Today Babar, Shaheen are known [to the world] just because of their performance,” he observed while saying that the players were going through bad times and were going through the same thing.

“Babar and Shaheen understand this, [and] I will support them as much as I can,” Rizwan added.

Noting that matters relating to former governors were “in the past for him”. Rizwan said he would do whatever he could to make things better for them.

When asked about the absence of Fakhar Zaman and Imam ul Haq, the skipper highlighted the duo’s services to the team and acknowledged Fakhar’s contribution in scoring at a fast pace from the top.

“Fakhar is a game changer, his runs have made a big difference,” he said.

However, the captain argued that their absence provided an opportunity for young players to test and prove their mettle on the pitch.

Giving an insight into the team selection, Rizwan said that the playing XI will be decided with his input, stressing that it was good to have an inclusive approach with the input of others.

“I’m going to go [forward] through a consultative approach [on matters] and to ask advice from young players as well,” he noted.

Admitting that the fans were disappointed due to the dismal performance of the team in white-ball cricket in recent times, the captain assured that the national team will not let them down in the tour of Australia.

The composition of the groups

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (c/wk) Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha (vc) Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain.

Australia: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Tour Australia

November 4 — ODI, MCG, Melbourne

November 8 — ODIs, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

November 10 — ODI, Perth Stadium, Perth

November 14 — T20I, The Gabba, Brisbane

November 16 — T20I, SCG, Sydney

November 18 — T20I, Bellerive Oval, Hobart