In a move that has stunned cricket fans across Pakistan, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has removed wicket-keeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan from the ODI captaincy, reportedly over his refusal to endorse betting companies.

Rizwan, widely respected for his discipline and faith, had earlier declined to wear a jersey displaying a betting sponsor’s logo during the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Sources now claim his ethical stand may have cost him his captaincy a decision that has triggered both admiration and anger online.

According to reports, the PCB viewed his position as “non compliant” with commercial obligations tied to team sponsorships. Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been named as the new ODI captain.

Former captain Rashid Latif was among the first to question the decision, hinting that Rizwan’s removal was not purely a cricketing call. “He’s being punished for sticking to his principles. This is not about form it’s about ideology,” Latif told local media.

Fans, too, have taken to social media to express dismay, with hashtags like #StandWithRizwan trending on X (formerly Twitter). Many praised the cricketer for upholding his beliefs even at professional cost, calling him “a man of integrity in a world of contracts.”

Rizwan has maintained silence, but sources close to him said he stands by his decision and “would never promote anything conflicting with his values.”

The PCB, however, defended its move, stating that “team leadership decisions are based on strategic direction and performance review,” without directly addressing the sponsorship issue.

This development has sparked a broader conversation in Pakistan about the ethics of sports sponsorships, especially in a country where betting remains illegal and religious sensitivities run high.

Mohammad Rizwan’s ouster highlights the growing tension between personal conviction and institutional priorities a reminder that in today’s commercialised sport, moral choices often carry heavy professional consequences.