Shaheen Afridi’s Captaincy Under Spotlight as Pakistan Open Tri-Nation ODI Series Against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi, The Gulf Observer: After Sahibzada Farhan led Pakistan to a T20I series victory with an outstanding batting display, attention now turns to Shaheen Shah Afridi, whose leadership will be tested in the upcoming one-day international (ODI) tri-nation series.

Sahibzada Farhan and Muaz Sadaqat, who played key roles in Pakistan’s 2-1 T20I series win over Sri Lanka, are not part of the ODI squad.

The tri-nation ODI series featuring Pakistan, England and Sri Lanka gets under way on Sunday at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with the opening match to be played between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan’s hopes will rest heavily on former captains Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha, along with fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf, none of whom featured in the T20I squad.

The coaches of two of the three sides, Mike Hesson of Pakistan and Brendon McCullum of England, are both from New Zealand, while Sri Lanka’s head coach hails from South Africa.

The series marks the start of Pakistan’s preparations for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027, to be jointly hosted by South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe next year.

Pakistan will face England in Rawalpindi on October 20, while the third match of the series, between England and Sri Lanka, will be played at the same venue on October 22. The remaining four matches, including the final on October 31, will be held in Lahore.

Shaheen Afridi will lead Pakistan, while Sri Lanka will be captained by Kusal Mendis and England by Harry Brook. England will be without the services of Jos Buttler, while Sri Lanka will miss Pathum Nissanka.

Since the ICC Champions Trophy, Pakistan have played six ODI series. They lost all three series played away from home, against New Zealand, the West Indies and Bangladesh, but won all three home series, against South Africa, Sri Lanka and Australia.