Pakistan’s former Test cricketer Tauseef Ahmed has weighed in on the recent decision to remove Mohammad Rizwan as Pakistan’s ODI captain, suggesting that the wicketkeeper-batter is deeply hurt but choosing not to speak publicly at least for now.
“Rizwan Won’t Speak Yet, But He Feels Wronged”
Speaking on a state-run TV channel, the 67-year-old ex-spinner said that Rizwan is holding back his emotions despite feeling that he was treated unfairly.
“Rizwan won’t say anything right now because he’s still part of the team,” Tauseef remarked. “But deep down, he feels that this was unjust. He must be thinking, ‘Why did they do this to me?’”
Tauseef criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) handling of the situation, saying that removing Rizwan at this stage was unnecessary and poorly managed.
“What happened with Rizwan was wrong. If something is wrong, we should say it clearly. He shouldn’t have been removed at this time,” he added.
“He Should Have Been Taken Into Confidence”
According to Tauseef, the PCB should have communicated its decision directly with Rizwan before making it public.
“The officials should have told him in advance,” he said. “They could have said, ‘We’re planning to make this change,’ or at least taken him into confidence before announcing it. That would have been the right way to handle things.”
He emphasized that such decisions affect a player’s morale and should always be managed with respect and transparency, especially for someone like Rizwan who has served Pakistan with commitment.
Behind-the-Scenes Reports Emerge
Tauseef hinted that there may be internal issues behind Rizwan’s removal as captain. Without naming sources, he mentioned that he had received reports of conversations between Rizwan and team officials.
“I heard that Rizwan spoke to Aaqib Javed about wanting more authority over team selection,” Tauseef revealed. “He said he wanted enough power to pick the team according to his own plan.”
These reports, if true, could point to differences between Rizwan and PCB management regarding selection and decision-making authority.
Uncertainty Surrounds Rizwan’s Future Role
Mohammad Rizwan’s demotion has sparked widespread discussion among fans and analysts, many of whom believe he was performing well enough to retain his position. His calm demeanor and professionalism have earned him respect in the dressing room, but the recent turn of events could test his relationship with the board.
While Rizwan remains part of Pakistan’s white-ball setup, questions remain about his long-term leadership prospects and how he will respond once the dust settles.
