Islamabad [Pakistan]: Newly appointed Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Afridi has delivered a motivational message to his teammates ahead of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, according to the ICC website.
Pakistan will host their Asian rivals for the ODI series beginning in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, and Afridi has urged his team to maintain the winning rhythm gained from their recent 2-1 series victory over South Africa — his first assignment as ODI skipper.
The triumph marked a positive turnaround for Pakistan in the 50-over format following their disappointing performance in the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year. Afridi emphasized the need for greater consistency as the team continues to evolve under his leadership.
“The series win against South Africa in Faisalabad was a great confidence boost. It was my first as ODI captain, and I’m really proud of how the players handled different situations and played as a unit. The energy, intent, and teamwork were outstanding,” Afridi said.
Looking ahead to the Sri Lanka challenge, Afridi urged his side to stay focused and build on their momentum.
“Our goal is to carry that winning momentum forward. We want to achieve consistency and keep improving in every department,” he added.
Acknowledging Sri Lanka’s disciplined approach, Afridi said Pakistan must “play smart cricket, stick to plans, and stay positive” to deliver performances their fans can be proud of.
The left-arm pacer also stressed the importance of shared responsibility within the squad.
“Every player must take responsibility — it’s not just on me, Fakhar (Zaman), Babar (Azam), or Saim (Ayub). We need to back one another, even those who are struggling, and believe in our collective strength,” he said.
Pakistan squad: Shaheen Afridi (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.
