India, Oct. 21 -- In a move that has sparked widespread debate within cricketing and political circles, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday announced Mohammad Rizwan's removal as captain of the national ODI team. He will be replaced by left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi ahead of the upcoming home series against South Africa.

While the PCB has not issued an official explanation for the sudden change, TimesofIndia.com has reported that Rizwan's principled stand against promoting betting companies is at the heart of the decision.

"Rizwan had informed the PCB that he wouldn't endorse betting companies, which is the main reason behind his sacking. He was against the PCB's collaboration with surrogate betting firms," a PCB source was q...