Afridi Urges Team Unity Ahead of Sri Lanka ODIs: ‘It’s Not Just About Shaheen, Fakhar, Babar, or Saim’
Pakistan is gearing up to take on Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series starting Tuesday in Rawalpindi. The team, under the leadership of newly appointed captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, aims to build on their recent success after securing a 2-1 victory against South Africa. Afridi emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum and consistency as they prepare for the challenges posed by the Sri Lankan side, which is currently ranked fourth in the ODI standings.
Pakistan’s ODI journey in 2025 has been rocky, prompting a leadership change with Shaheen Shah Afridi stepping in as captain, replacing Mohammad Rizwan. The team faced significant setbacks, losing series against New Zealand and West Indies, and failing to advance past the semifinals of the Champions Trophy held on home soil. With a disappointing record of 10 losses in 14 matches, Afridi stressed the need for collective responsibility among players. He stated, “All the players should take responsibility,” highlighting that success is a team effort rather than the responsibility of a few key players. This shift in leadership comes at a crucial time as Pakistan seeks to regain its footing in the ODI format.
Key Players to Watch
In the recent series against South Africa, young batsman Saim Ayub emerged as a standout performer, scoring two half-centuries, including a top score of 77 in the final ODI. Other notable contributions came from Salman Ali Agha, who also notched two fifties, and Mohammad Rizwan, who scored 55 in one of the matches. However, established players like Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman struggled, with Babar managing only 45 runs across three innings and Fakhar scoring 45 in the first match followed by two ducks. Afridi expressed pride in the team’s ability to adapt and perform under pressure, praising their energy and teamwork during the series against South Africa.
Sri Lanka’s Strength and Strategy
Sri Lanka enters the series with confidence, having recently secured victories against Australia and Bangladesh at home, as well as an away win over Zimbabwe. Under the captaincy of Charith Asalanka, the Sri Lankan squad is at full strength, with only fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka missing due to injury. Asalanka acknowledged the challenges of playing in Pakistan, stating, “That’s always a tough series when it comes to Pakistan, their home, their conditions.” He noted that both teams have shown strong performances leading up to this series, setting the stage for an exciting contest.
The series will take place at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, where Pakistan is expected to prepare batting-friendly pitches to counter Sri Lanka’s formidable spin trio of Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Jeffrey Vandersay. Following the ODI series, a T20 tri-series featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe is scheduled to begin on November 17 in Rawalpindi and Lahore. This series presents an opportunity for both teams to showcase their skills and build momentum ahead of future competitions.
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