Shaheen Afridi Motivates Team Ahead Of Sri Lanka ODIs

Newly appointed Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Afridi has sent a strong message to his teammates ahead of the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, starting Tuesday in Rawalpindi. Speaking through the International Cricket Council (ICC), Afridi encouraged his side to keep up the momentum from their recent 2-1 series win against South Africa. The upcoming matches will be Pakistan’s second major 50-over assignment since their disappointing ICC Champions Trophy campaign earlier this year.

Afridi said that Pakistan’s series victory against South Africa in Faisalabad was an important confidence booster for the team. “The series win against South Africa in Faisalabad was a great boost for our confidence. 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,” Afridi said. He praised his team’s energy, intent, and teamwork, adding that the players showed a strong sense of togetherness throughout the series.

The left-arm pacer emphasized that Pakistan’s main target now is to bring more consistency to their performances. “Going into the Sri Lanka series, our focus is to carry that winning momentum forward. We want to build consistency in our performances and make sure that we keep improving as a team in every department,” he said. Afridi highlighted the importance of maintaining balance in all aspects of the game — batting, bowling, and fielding — to ensure that Pakistan continues to progress as a strong ODI unit.

Afridi expressed his respect for Sri Lanka’s disciplined approach and skillful cricket. “Sri Lanka are a disciplined side and always challenge you with their skills. We will need to play smart cricket, stick to our plans and stay positive,” he noted. He said that the focus would be on executing strategies effectively, reading match situations carefully, and keeping calm under pressure. The captain reminded his players that home advantage should be used wisely without underestimating their opponents.

Afridi made it clear that success in modern cricket depends on teamwork and not just individual brilliance. “All the players should take responsibility. It’s not Shaheen, Fakhar (Zaman), Babar (Azam), or Saim’s (Ayub) job; we all should do our best,” he said. Afridi added that players must support each other, even when someone is out of form, because a positive dressing-room environment helps build confidence and unity. “We should even back those players who are not performing and always believe that we can perform as a team,” he added firmly.

The Pakistan skipper said his ultimate goal is for the team to deliver performances that make their fans proud. “The goal is to keep developing as a team and to continue giving our fans performances they can be proud of,” he stated. Afridi believes Pakistan’s ODI squad has the talent and potential to become one of the top sides in the world, provided they remain united and disciplined.

Pakistan’s squad for the three-match ODI series features a balanced mix of youth and experience. The team includes Shaheen Afridi (captain), 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, and Salman Ali Agha.

This squad reflects Pakistan’s focus on developing a versatile group of players capable of performing across conditions. With the ODI series set to begin in Rawalpindi, Pakistan will look to maintain its winning rhythm and strengthen its combination ahead of future international tournaments.

Shaheen Afridi’s leadership marks a fresh chapter for Pakistan’s 50-over cricket. His ability to motivate and unite the team has already shown results, and the upcoming Sri Lanka series presents another opportunity to build confidence. Fans across Pakistan will be watching closely as the Men in Green aim to extend their winning streak and continue building towards a more consistent and competitive ODI future.