Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi on Monday said that captaining the national team is a great honor and responsibility which he is determined to fulfill with full dedication.
Speaking at a pre-series press conference at Iqbal Stadium, he also welcomed the return of international cricket to Faisalabad after nearly two decades.
Shaheen Afridi said he feels proud to lead Pakistan and is fully focused on the responsibility that comes with the captaincy.
“Captaining the Pakistan team is a matter of honor. I will fulfill this responsibility well and lead from the front,” he stated.
He added that international cricket returning to Faisalabad after 17 years has lifted the team’s spirits. “All the boys are excited and hopeful,” he said.
Focus on leadership and team performance
The left-arm pacer acknowledged that South Africa has been playing impressive cricket but expressed confidence in his team’s form and preparation.
“South Africa has been playing good cricket, and we also played the T20 series well,” he noted.
Shaheen emphasized that players should stay focused on their performance, saying, “Our job is to play cricket; the decisions are not in our hands. I will focus on the responsibility I have received.”
Commenting on the atmosphere in Faisalabad, Shaheen joked,
“The weather is better now; my hair will be wet in the evening,”
adding a lighter touch to the press conference.
He also recalled his Champions Cup experience in Faisalabad, describing it as a positive one that helped him understand the local conditions.
Praise for Babar Azam’s return
The Pakistan captain also expressed his delight at Babar Azam’s return to the team setup, calling him one of the best players in the world.
“The joy of Babar Azam coming into the fold is immense — he is the best player in the world,” Shaheen said.
Pakistan’s recent T20 series win
Earlier, Pakistan secured a 2–1 series victory over South Africa after a convincing six-wicket win in the third and final T20 International at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Saturday.
After opting to field first, Pakistan restricted South Africa to 139 for nine. Shaheen led from the front with three wickets for 26 runs, while Faheem Ashraf and Usman Tariq claimed two each. Salman Mirza and Mohammad Nawaz took one wicket apiece.
