Pakistan’s cricket captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, expressed confidence in his team’s preparations ahead of the ODI tri-series starting this Sunday in Rawalpindi.
The team has benefited from three consecutive days of training, which Afridi believes will be crucial as they face Sri Lanka and England.
The tri-series kicks off at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with Pakistan set to play Sri Lanka first and then face England on October 20. Afridi noted the excitement of starting a busy ODI season at home against two strong teams. He emphasized the competitive nature of the series, stating, “All three teams have many skilled and talented players. As a captain, I want to fully support my players so they can perform their best on the field.”
In a statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Afridi highlighted the importance of their training sessions. “Having three days of continuous practice before facing Sri Lanka and England will be very beneficial,” he said.
The Pakistan squad gathered in Islamabad on Wednesday and has been training daily since then. Sri Lanka arrived earlier on October 12, giving them additional time to prepare, while England’s team landed on Friday and will conduct three training sessions before their first match.
Afridi, who has led Pakistan in 11 ODIs, mentioned that the team’s balance offers various options during matches. “We have a mix of young talents and experienced players, which will help us challenge our opponents at different stages of the 50-over games, ultimately leading to positive results for Pakistan,” he said.
Entering the tournament in good form, Pakistan has won three out of their last four ODI series, defeating South Africa 2-1, Sri Lanka 3-0, and Australia 2-1. Their only series loss came against Bangladesh, where they fell 1-2. Notably, players Razaullah and Saad Beg have yet to make their international debuts.
England, led by Harry Brook, will face Sri Lanka on October 22. The final four matches will be played in Lahore, culminating in the final on October 31 between the top two teams. Brook acknowledged the challenge of adapting to unfamiliar conditions and the enthusiastic Pakistani crowds.
“We want to be a team that can adjust to different circumstances and find ways to win. This series is a great opportunity for us,” he stated. Brook also reflected on their recent successes, including victories in Sri Lanka and against both India and Sri Lanka at home, emphasizing the importance of maintaining good habits.
Sri Lanka, coming off a series win against the , is eager to test themselves in the tri-series. Captain Kusal Mendis expressed excitement about facing two strong teams, viewing every series and tournament as a chance to compete at the highest level and achieve their goals.