FAISALABAD: Pakistan’s newly appointed one-day international (ODI) captain Shaheen Afridi is looking to impress in his debut series as skipper in the 50-over format, which starts against South Africa in Faisalabad on Tuesday.
“It’s an honor for me to lead the country,” the 25-year-old – whose first stint as T20I captain ended last year after a 4-1 defeat in New Zealand – said at a pre-match press conference on Monday.
“Even as a player, wearing the national colors is always a matter of pride, but now, as captain, there is an added sense of responsibility,” Shaheen added.
When asked about being given the ODI captaincy after his previous stint as T20I skipper, Shaheen maintained a composed response.
“Our job is to serve Pakistan cricket and fulfill whatever role is given to us. Leadership appointments are the management’s decisions and we respect that. My focus now is on improving our one-day cricket and leading the team from the front,” he said.
With Shaheen, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah in attack and Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Rizwan in the side, the home side will be at full strength.
However, South Africa will be without their injured regular skipper Temba Bavuma and seven key players, including rested pace duo Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen.
The captaincy will be entrusted to newcomer Matthew Breetzke, who scored the highest ever score on ODI debut of 150, which came against New Zealand in Lahore earlier this year.
Despite the understrength team, Breetzke put on a brave face.
“We are missing the core group of ODI players that we normally have, but in saying this there is an opportunity for the younger guys to step up and take on the challenge,” Breetzke said.
South African star Quinton de Kock is set to make a comeback to ODI cricket after reversing his retirement in 2023 ahead of the tour.
The three-match ODI series is part of the Proteas tour of Pakistan, with an all-format series. The two-match Test series was shared 1-1 by both teams, while Pakistan won the three-match T20I series 2-1.
Meanwhile, Shaeen and his counterpart Breetzke unveiled the glittering trophy for the three-match ODI series in between.
Faisalabad is witnessing international cricket after 17 years
With the ODI series starting at the Iqbal Stadium on Tuesday, international cricket returns to Faisalabad after 17 years. The remaining matches will be played at the same location on November 6 and 8.
The last international match at the Iqbal Stadium was played on April 11, 2008, when Pakistan defeated Bangladesh in an ODI by seven wickets. The historic venue has hosted sixteen ODIs so far, including four World Cup matches: one in 1987 and three in 1996.
Pakistan has participated in 12 ODIs on this ground, winning nine and losing three. South Africa, on the other hand, has played five ODIs here, winning two and losing three. In all ODIs between the two sides, Pakistan and South Africa have met 87 times with Pakistan winning 34 times and South Africa emerging victorious in 52 encounters. In Pakistan, both teams have won eight of the sixteen matches each.
In Faisalabad, Pakistan and South Africa participated in three ODIs. Pakistan has won twice (in 1994 and 2007), while South Africa has won once (2003).
—With additional input from AFP
