Shaheen Afridi Takes Charge as Pakistan ODI Captain
Shaheen Afridi has taken on the role of Pakistan's ODI captain, a decision made after discussions with his predecessor, Rizwan. The transition came about as Rizwan decided to step down, allowing Shaheen to step up for the responsibility. In a recent media interaction, Shaheen shared, “I took this responsibility from the Pakistan Cricket Board after discussing the matter with Rizwan.”
The young captain emphasized the importance of teamwork and shared responsibility within the squad. He mentioned that he values advice from everyone, including former captains, as he believes that improvement comes from collective effort. “You can’t keep on saying Babar, Rizwan or Fakhar will do it; it is as a team we have to click and take responsibility,” he stated.
Shaheen's leadership journey began with a brief stint as the T20I captain after Babar Azam resigned following a poor performance in the 2023 World Cup. However, his tenure was short-lived as Babar was reinstated after just one series. Recently, Shaheen led Pakistan to a 2-1 series victory against South Africa, marking a promising start to his ODI captaincy.
Rizwan, who led the team in 20 ODIs, had mixed results, winning 9 and losing 11 matches. His tenure saw Pakistan miss out on the Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal and suffer a series loss to West Indies. Still, he led the team to victories against strong opponents like Australia and South Africa. Shaheen acknowledged Rizwan’s contributions, noting that he is Pakistan’s top-scorer in ODIs since 2023.
As captain, Shaheen is committed to supporting key players, including Rizwan and Babar, both of whom bring significant experience to the team. He recognizes that while players can have off days, they are integral to the team’s success. “Babar can falter in one or two matches but he is in good touch and I hope he will score a hundred soon,” he added, expressing his faith in his teammates.
With a clear vision and a team-oriented approach, Shaheen Afridi is poised to lead Pakistan cricket into a new era, aiming for greater achievements on the international stage.
