Rizwan Targets ICC Trophy, T20 World Cup as Captain of Pakistan

News Desk

Lahore: Newly appointed white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan has set ambitious targets for the Pakistan cricket team, aiming to secure the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 and the Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

In his first interview as captain with PCB Digital on Monday, Rizwan emphasized the importance of preparing for major ICC tournaments, highlighting the team’s recent trend of falling short in semi-finals and finals.

Rizwan expressed his commitment to nurturing a future captain and developing a backup wicketkeeper as part of his leadership goals. He stated, “I want to leave behind a legacy in which Pakistan cricket has a group of good players.”

The captain underscored the significance of team unity, noting that a cohesive team is built on collective effort rather than individual contributions.

“I wish to take Pakistan cricket to new heights with the right blend of young and senior cricketers,” Rizwan asserted, adding that fans can expect a refreshed team dynamic under his leadership. Expressing his pride in representing the national team, he called it a dream come true and an immense honor to lead Pakistan cricket.

Rizwan acknowledged the challenge of meeting national expectations and vowed to manage the pressures of leadership effectively. He remarked, “I have led U-19 and domestic teams in the past, but I was never eager for the national captaincy. I have learned a lot from past captains of the Pakistan team.”

The wicket-keeper batsman emphasized his dedication to applying his experiences to his new role, recognizing the stark differences between captaining at the domestic and international levels.

 “Having served as vice-captain in all formats, I believe the team is content with my leadership style, and I will continue to lead in the same way,” he added.

Looking ahead to the upcoming series against Australia, Rizwan noted the challenges Pakistan has historically faced in Australian conditions.

He reflected on the last Test series, where the team lost from a position of strength, stating, “We will defeat Australia on their soil if we learn from the mistakes we made during the last series.”

He remained optimistic, emphasizing that overcoming past challenges is crucial for future success. “Just because we didn’t beat Australia in the past doesn’t mean we can’t do it this time. We just need to put up a good fight,” Rizwan concluded.