As Pakistan’s new One Day International captain, Shaheen Afridi has set a clear tone for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, emphasizing sustained performance and team unity. Fresh from leading Pakistan to a 2-1 series victory over South Africa, Afridi’s message to his teammates is focused on carrying forward the positive momentum and building greater consistency in the 50-over format.
The recent series win against South Africa was a crucial morale booster for Pakistan, marking a positive turn after their performance in the ICC Champions Trophy. Afridi was particularly pleased with the team’s spirit and cohesive play during that series. “I was really proud of the way the players responded to different situations and played as a unit,” he stated.
Looking ahead to the duel with Sri Lanka, Afridi stressed the importance of maintaining focus and executing their game plan effectively. He recognized Sri Lanka as a capable opponent and called for smart cricket and a resilient attitude. Furthermore, Afridi promoted a culture of collective responsibility, encouraging all squad members to actively contribute to the team’s success. “It’s not Shaheen, Fakhar, Babar, or Saim’s job, we all should do our best,” he urged, highlighting the importance of backing each other.
Sri Lanka, led by Charith Asalanka, is also in good form, having recently achieved a clean sweep against Zimbabwe. Asalanka anticipates a tough series in Pakistan but remains confident in his team’s abilities. The series is set to begin with the first ODI on November 11 in Rawalpindi.