Pakistan’s ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi expressed delight over his team’s recent series win against South Africa and called for collective responsibility as Pakistan prepares to face Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series starting tomorrow at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the series, Shaheen Shah Afridi said he was “happy to win the first ODI series” and proud to have “made history by winning a home series against South Africa for the first time.”
The left-arm pacer emphasized that players were aware of the areas that needed improvement. “The boys know which mistakes to work on — we talk to each other about them,” he said.
He also defended his teammates over fielding errors, noting, “No one drops catches intentionally. Dropping catches is part of the game, and our fielding has improved significantly over the past few years.”
Team unity and player accountability key focus
Afridi said that the team’s focus remains balanced across batting, bowling, and fielding, and urged every player to take responsibility.
“It’s not just Rizwan, Babar, Fakhar, Saim, or me — everyone must play their part,” he stated.
Highlighting Mohammad Rizwan’s consistent form, Shaheen noted, “Rizwan has played the most ODIs since 2023 and has been scoring runs regularly.”
He added that the team management prioritizes supporting out-of-form players rather than sidelining them, saying, “It’s our duty to back players who need confidence.”
Squad management and selection insights
Addressing questions about team selection, Shaheen said the selection committee forms a 15-member squad, but the captain’s opinion is always necessary.
He clarified that Hassan Nawaz’s exclusion from the current squad did not mean he was out of future plans. “He will continue playing domestic cricket in his preferred batting position,” he said.
The skipper also shared that injuries often challenge Pakistan ahead of major tournaments, adding that the team aims to build depth by giving playing opportunities to more players in upcoming matches.
Afridi on captaincy and leadership
Shaheen Afridi also spoke candidly about his leadership journey, revealing that he consulted Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan before accepting the ODI captaincy.
“When I first became captain, I contacted Babar and other players. I first told Rizwan that I was becoming captain and asked for his opinion,” he said.
Afridi confirmed that Rizwan had already decided to step down from the captaincy, after which he accepted the leadership role. “Why I was removed from captaincy before — I will not discuss that,” Shaheen added calmly.
Sri Lanka ready for Rawalpindi challenge
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan ODI captain Charith Asalanka praised Pakistan’s recent performances and said his side was eager to deliver competitive cricket.
“Sri Lanka and Pakistan have always played good cricket. Whoever performs better will win,” Asalanka told reporters.
He commended Pakistan’s hospitality and acknowledged the hosts’ strong batting lineup, saying, “Pakistan has some of the best batsmen like Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, while we have the best bowlers to challenge them.”
Asalanka added that Sri Lanka’s batsmen were prepared to face Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, noting that his team was playing good cricket under his leadership.
“The weather here is great, and fans can expect exciting cricket,” he said confidently.
Series schedule and recent records
The three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on November 11, 13, and 15.
Pakistan enters the series on a high after defeating South Africa 2–1 under Shaheen Afridi’s captaincy.
Sri Lanka, led by Charith Asalanka, has also been in strong form, winning 13 out of 19 ODIs under his leadership.
