Pakistan’s new ODI captain, Shaheen Afridi, has issued a clear directive to his teammates as they prepare to face Sri Lanka in a three-match series. Fresh off a confidence-boosting 2-1 series win against South Africa, Afridi is keen for the team to build on this success and foster greater consistency in their 50-over game. This recent triumph served as a vital recovery after a challenging ICC Champions Trophy performance.
Reflecting on the South Africa series, Afridi lauded the players’ ability to perform as a cohesive unit and their positive response to pressure. “It was my first series as ODI captain and I was really proud of the way the players responded to different situations and played as a unit,” he shared. The primary objective now is to translate that winning momentum into sustained strong performances against Sri Lanka.
Afridi acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by the Sri Lankan team but is confident in Pakistan’s ability to execute their strategies. “We will need to play smart cricket, stick to our plans and stay positive,” he advised. He further emphasized the importance of individual accountability within the squad, stating that every player must contribute to the team’s success. “We should even back those players who are not performing and always believe that we can perform as a team.”
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka arrives in Pakistan with their own winning momentum, having recently defeated Zimbabwe. Captain Charith Asalanka recognizes the difficulty of playing away against Pakistan but believes his team is well-prepared. The series kicks off on November 11 in Rawalpindi.