Mohammad Rizwan & Babar Azam for Pakistan (Source: AFP Photos)
Last week, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) left the world in shock after wholesale changes following Lord’s Test defeat. This included Mohammad Rizwan being sent back to Pakistan.
Rizwan had scores of 41, 12, 1 and 7 during Pakistan’s tour of England. He failed miserably in the West Indies Tests as well, prior to that, with scores of 11, 12, and 18 that told the story all by themselves.
Now, with the PCB on the hunt in order to revive Pakistan cricket without taking much of a time, it appears that they have already found Mohammad Rizwan’s replacement for the future.
Ghazi Ghori Confirmed To Make Test Debut For Pakistan
Ghazi Ghori, initially picked as Pakistan’s backup wicket-keeper for England Tests, will get his first match in whites for his country when they play Joe Root and his boys at Edgbaston on September 9.
Many reputable media outlets from Pakistan, along with Cricinfo, confirmed that Ghori will take the big gloves behind the stumps, coming in as Mohammad Rizwan’s replacement.
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Last year, Ghori played only once in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s primary red-ball competition. There, playing for Karachi Region Blues, he made 83 off 120 deliveries.
Besides, he had consistent numbers in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in 2024/25 as well, with scores of 75, 68 and 42 in his three outings in the competition, speaking volumes.
Has Ghori Made Debut For Pakistan In Other Formats?
Yes, Ghori has already played for Pakistan, having made his ODI debut in Mirpur against Bangladesh. There, he made 29 runs, followed by scores of 65, 37 and 8 in their next three outings against Australia.
Thus, Ghori, aged 23, has so far played four matches for Pakistan, all in 50-over formats. It would be interesting to see what the PCB thinks of him from here on.
"I had aimed for mid-2027 as the point when he'd be ready for Test cricket," Hanif Malik, who has been working closely with Ghori since his Under-19 days. told Cricinfo.
"He's been preparing his mindset to be ready for Test cricket. We rushed him a bit by playing ODIs in Bangladesh earlier this year. What would have been better for him was to travel with the Shaheens [Pakistan A] and play another full first-class season. It is the circumstances of the national side rather than his stage of development which has resulted in that time coming earlier."
End Of Road For Mohammad Rizwan?
Meanwhile, the reason behind the PCB looking for Mohammad Rizwan’s replacement is not illogical. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter, who made headlines earlier due to being consistent in red-ball cricket, averages 25.72 in this calendar year, having made only 283 runs across 11 innings.
Even in 2025, he did not have a Test century in 10 attempts. Therefore, being someone whom the PCB has trusted significantly for years, it is the right time to look for alternatives.
And Ghori is the most prominent name and, to be fair, a no-brainer to make the cut for Pakistan as Mohammad Rizwan’s replacement.
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