Shaheen Afridi wants unity to be Pakistan’s identity under his captaincy

RAWALPINDI: Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan’s ODI captain, said on Saturday he wants unity to be his team’s identity as it builds towards the 2027 World Cup in South Africa.

“We are united as a team and our collective focus is towards winning the World Cup and how we can do it,” the 26-year-old told reporters at a pre-series press conference at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

He also urged the media to portray the team positively. “The messaging from you [the media] should be good as well, to tell the people that this team is united, there is love in this team and this team tries to play good cricket,” he said.

“It is just a game. If you portray it to the people, kids in a way that is too serious, they will be worried about why we are not winning.”

Shaheen took over the ODI captaincy from Mohammad Rizwan about a year ago. He was removed as T20 captain in 2024 after one series, with Babar Azam taking over before Salman Ali Agha got the role.

Shaheen Afridi Pakistan captain wants unity as team’s identity

Pakistan open the ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Sunday (October 18). The captain’s message was clear: past turbulence in the leadership group must not define this side.

Backing for Babar as the “backbone”

Shaheen was emphatic in his support for Babar Azam, who returns for the tri-series after being left out of the recent T20I series against Sri Lanka.

“There is no pressure on Babar, he is our main player,” Shaheen said. “He is the backbone of this team. He has performed well over the past few home series.”

Babar remains central to Pakistan’s white-ball plans. His recent form and controversies have kept him in the headlines, while Pakistan’s Asian Games triumph over Bangladesh underlined the squad’s depth.

Greener pitches to prepare for South Africa

Pakistan have won all their home ODI series over the past year under Shaheen, many of them on slow, spin-friendly surfaces, most recently against Australia in May and June. The tri-series will look different.

“Over the course of the last four one-day series, we have tried to build this team, since our focus is on [next year’s] World Cup and how we can prepare for it,” Shaheen said. “Henceforth we have also tried to prepare the wickets accordingly.”

The surfaces looked greener during Pakistan’s recent T20I series against Sri Lanka, part of a deliberate effort to encourage lateral movement and bounce. “We want our fast bowlers to get help [off the surface] so when we play in South Africa and in England, both our bowling and our batting has the potential to get the other team out and chase the runs [respectively],” he said.

Pakistan have studied the 2027 World Cup schedule closely ahead of the South African conditions.

Saim Ayub’s role with the ball

Shaheen indicated Pakistan could field three or four fast bowlers, making Saim Ayub’s bowling important despite his recent struggles in T20 and Test cricket.

“Saim Ayub may have struggled in T20 cricket, he struggled in the Test match as well,” Shaheen said. “But as far as one-day cricket is concerned, we really need him.”

“Because if we go with three or four pacers, then the team needs his bowling. If we keep giving him opportunities, he will thrive for Pakistan.”

Tri-series schedule and the road ahead

Pakistan face Sri Lanka in the opener on Sunday, then play England on October 20 and 25, Sri Lanka again on October 27, with the final on October 31.

Ireland have stepped in for six ODIs in January after Zimbabwe’s withdrawal, and a five-match ODI tour of England follows before Pakistan open their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on October 8 next year.

The original reporting was published by Dawn, with the Sportstar preview of the tri-series.

FAQ

What did Shaheen Afridi say about team unity?

Unity will be Pakistan’s identity under his leadership, with the collective focus on winning the 2027 World Cup.

What did Shaheen say about Babar Azam?

He called Babar the team’s “backbone”, with no pressure on him, praising his recent home series form.

When does the ODI tri-series start?

Pakistan play Sri Lanka on October 18, England on October 20 and 25, Sri Lanka again on October 27, with the final on October 31.

Why is Saim Ayub’s bowling important?

If Pakistan play three or four pacers, the team will need Ayub’s bowling for balance.

When and where is the 2027 World Cup?

The World Cup will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Pakistan open against Afghanistan on October 8, 2027.