Key Highlights
- Pakistan faces Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series starting Tuesday.
- Newly appointed captain Shaheen Shah Afridi wants to build on their recent win against South Africa.
- Pakistan seeks consistency after disappointing 2025 performance, losing 10 out of 14 matches during the year.
- Sri Lanka is in good form after successful home wins against Australia and Bangladesh.
New Captain Shaheen Afridi’s Leadership
Shaheen Shah Afridi, the newly appointed captain of Pakistan’s ODI team, has set his sights on building a consistent and improved performance for their upcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka. Speaking at Pindi Cricket Stadium, which will host all three ODIs this week, Afridi emphasized the need for his players to take responsibility across the board rather than relying solely on star performers.
“All the players should take responsibility,” he said. “It’s not Shaheen, Fakhar (Zaman), Babar (Azam), or Saim’s (Ayub) job; we all should do our best.”
Recent Performance and Challenges
Pakistan’s ODI performance in 2025 has been marked by disappointment, with the team losing 10 out of 14 matches. This poor showing led to Afridi taking over from Mohammad Rizwan as captain before their series against South Africa. The recent win against South Africa was a significant morale boost for the squad.
The team’s batting lineup saw contributions from Salman Ali Agha with two fifties and Rizwan’s 55 runs during the South African tour. However, key batsmen such as Babar Azam managed only 45 runs across three innings, while Fakhar Zaman scored 45 in the first match followed by two ducks.
Afridi praised his players for their teamwork and resilience against South Africa, stating, “I was really proud of the way the players responded to different situations and played as a unit.”
Sri Lanka’s Form and Squad
Sri Lanka enters the series after successful home wins against Australia and Bangladesh, plus an away victory over Zimbabwe. The team is expected to field a full-strength squad under Charith Asalanka’s leadership. Only fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka is absent due to injury, replaced by potential debutant Eshan Malinga.
Asalanka expressed confidence in his team, saying, “That’s always a tough series when it comes to Pakistan, their home, their conditions.” He added that both sides have performed well recently, with Sri Lanka’s ODI side performing particularly well after their recent series against Zimbabwe.
Pitch and Strategy Expectations
The series is expected to feature batting-friendly pitches, designed by Pakistan to counter Sri Lanka’s spin trio of Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Jeffrey Vandersay. Afridi emphasized the importance of a collective effort from his team, stating that backing players who are not performing well and maintaining belief in their ability as a unit is crucial.
The ODI series will be followed by a T20 tri-series featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe in Rawalpindi and Lahore, beginning November 17. This upcoming series is likely to further shape the dynamics between both teams in 2025.
As the series approaches, all eyes are on how Afridi’s leadership will translate into performance under pressure. The success or failure of this series could significantly impact Pakistan’s standing in ODI cricket.
