Shaheen Afridi has officially taken over the captaincy of the Pakistan ODI team, stepping in for Mohammad Rizwan, who led the squad for the past year. Afridi, a prominent left-arm fast bowler, will debut in his new role during the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, scheduled from November 4 to 8.
This isn’t Afridi’s first foray into leadership; he briefly served as Pakistan’s T20I captain earlier this year. During that stint, he managed only one series against New Zealand, where Pakistan emerged victorious in just one out of five matches. Following that, Babar Azam was reinstated as T20I captain before the mantle was later passed to Salman Ali Agha.
The decision to appoint Afridi as ODI captain came after consultations involving white-ball coach Mike Hesson, Director of High Performance Aqib Javed, and the selection committee. Rizwan’s tenure saw him captain Pakistan in 20 ODIs, beginning with a notable 2-1 series victory against Australia. His leadership also included a significant 3-0 whitewash against South Africa in December 2024. However, after a disappointing Champions Trophy campaign, which resulted in Pakistan’s early exit, the selectors opted to make a change. Rizwan’s captaincy record concludes with nine wins and 11 losses.
Afridi brings considerable experience to the role, having played 194 international matches across formats. As he takes the helm, all eyes will be on how he can steer a team that has been navigating challenges in recent tournaments.
With Afridi’s dynamic presence and capability as a player, the expectation is high not only for improved results but also for a fresh approach in the ODI format. His leadership will be put to the test as Pakistan looks to reclaim its standing in international cricket amid fierce competition.
As the cricketing world watches closely, Afridi’s appointment signals a shift in strategy for Pakistan, reinforcing a focus on youth and talent as the national team prepares for its next challenges. The upcoming series against South Africa is pivotal, not only for the team’s immediate success but also for Afridi’s establishment as a leader.
With the changing dynamics in the captaincy, fans and analysts alike await the outcomes that will shape the future of Pakistan cricket.
Original Source: https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/136016/shaheen-afridi-named-pakistan-odi-captain
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Publish Date: 2025-10-21 08:17:00
