Winning Tri-Series is our primary goal, ideal World Cup prepartions: Captain Shaheen Afridi
Winning Tri-Series is our primary goal, ideal World Cup prepartions: Captain Shaheen Afridi
By Nawaz Gohar ; Pakistan white-ball captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has emphasized that winning the upcoming ODI tri-series against England and Sri Lanka remains the team’s primary objective, while serving as a crucial stepping stone toward fine-tuning the squad for the World Cup.
Speaking at a press conference alongside opposing captains following the unveiling of the tournament trophy on Saturday, Shaheen shared insights on team unity,
pitch preparations, and strategic goals.“This tri-series is immensely important for us. While our T20 squad has delivered solid performances, we have been actively working over our last four ODI series to build a balanced side,” Shaheen stated.
“Our primary focus remains on the World Cup, and we have made deliberate efforts to prepare pitches tailored to World Cup conditions. We have devised our strategy, and this tournament will help us finalize our World Cup squad.
“Praise for Teammates & Leadership UnityAddressing questions regarding key players, Shaheen praised middle-order batter Salman Ali Agha for his recent domestic form, including a first-class triple century, noting that Salman is fully aware of his role in the lineup.
He also firmly dismissed rumors of any pressure on former skipper Babar Azam.”Babar Azam is the backbone of our team. There is zero pressure on him—he is a crucial player who has consistently scored runs for Pakistan. Having him in the squad as a former captain is immensely beneficial;
he possesses vast leadership experience, and we constantly learn from him,” Shaheen added, highlighting that young players are being integrated in a phased manner. He also noted that Saim Ayub’s bowling capabilities will be a key asset in the 50-over format.
Expressing confidence in the batting unit, the captain remarked, “Our team harmony is excellent, and everyone is focused on winning the World Cup. We have the depth to chase down targets of 350 or even 400 runs, depending on the match conditions. The squad is determined to bring joy to the nation.”
