FAISALABAD: Pakistan’s newly appointed one-day worldwide (ODI) captain, Shaheen Afridi, is aiming for a powerful efficiency in his debut sequence as skipper within the 50-over format, which begins Tuesday in opposition to South Africa in Faisalabad.
“It’s an honour for me to guide the nation,” the 25-year-old stated in a pre-match press convention whose first stint as T20I captain ended after a 4-1 defeat in New Zealand final yr.
“At the same time as a participant, carrying the nationwide colors is at all times a matter of satisfaction — however now, as captain, there may be an added sense of duty,” Shaheen added.
When requested about being handed the ODI captaincy following his earlier stint as T20I skipper, Shaheen maintained a composed response.
“Our job is to serve Pakistan cricket and fulfil no matter function we’re given. Management appointments are the administration’s choices, and we respect that. My focus proper now could be on bettering our one-day cricket and main the group from the entrance,” he stated.
With Shaheen, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah within the assault and Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Mohammad Rizwan within the squad, the house group will probably be at full energy.
South Africa, nonetheless, will probably be with out their injured common skipper ,Temba Bavuma, and 7 key gamers, together with the tempo duo of Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, who’re rested.
The captaincy is entrusted to newcomer Matthew Breetzke, who hit the highest-ever rating on ODI debut of 150, which got here in opposition to New Zealand in Lahore earlier this yr.
Regardless of the under-strength squad, Breetzke put up a courageous face.
“We’re lacking the core group of ODI gamers that we often have, however in saying this there is a chance for the youthful guys to step up and take the problem,” stated Breetzke.
South Africa’s star Quinton de Kock will make a comeback to ODI cricket after reversing his 2023 retirement earlier than the tour.
The three-match ODI sequence is part of the Proteas tour of Pakistan, that includes an all-format sequence. A two-match Check sequence was shared by each groups 1-1, whereas Pakistan gained the three-match T20I sequence 2-1.
In the meantime, Shaeen and his counterpart Breetzke unveiled the glittering trophy for the three-match ODI sequence between.
Worldwide cricket returns to Faisalabad after 17 years
With the ODI sequence commencing from Tuesday on the Iqbal Stadium, worldwide cricket is making a return to Faisalabad after 17 years. The remaining matches will probably be performed on 6 and eight November on the identical venue.
The final worldwide match on the Iqbal Stadium was performed on 11 April 2008, when Pakistan defeated Bangladesh in an ODI by seven wickets. The historic venue has hosted 16 ODIs so far, together with 4 World Cup matches – one in 1987 and three in 1996.
Pakistan have featured in 12 ODIs at this floor, profitable 9 and shedding three. South Africa, then again, have performed 5 ODIs right here, profitable two and shedding three. Throughout all ODIs between the 2 sides, Pakistan and South Africa have met 87 occasions, with Pakistan profitable 34 and South Africa rising victorious in 52 encounters. In Pakistan, each groups have gained eight matches every out of 16.
In Faisalabad, Pakistan and South Africa have contested in three ODIs. Pakistan have gained on two events (in 1994 and 2007), whereas South Africa secured victory in a single (2003).
—With further enter from AFP
