Shaheen Afridi Steps Up as Pakistan Faces South Africa in ODI Clash
Pakistan’s cricket scene is buzzing again as Shaheen Shah Afridi gears up to lead the national side in the upcoming ODI series against South Africa, starting Tuesday in Faisalabad. This will be Shaheen’s first stint as ODI captain — and it comes after a turbulent period in Pakistan’s leadership structure.
After being removed as T20I captain last year, Shaheen is back in a new role, ready to prove himself and rebuild Pakistan’s momentum in the 50-over format. Speaking to the media, Shaheen expressed both pride and determination, saying that captaining the country is a tremendous honor. He added that while leadership appointments are decisions made by the management, his focus remains on delivering strong performances and guiding the team forward.
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“It’s an honor to lead Pakistan. Even wearing the national jersey as a player is special, but captaining the side brings an added sense of responsibility,” Shaheen shared. “Our job is to serve Pakistan cricket and fulfill whatever role we’re given. Right now, I’m focused on improving our one-day cricket and leading from the front.”
The decision to hand Shaheen the ODI captaincy follows a string of leadership changes within the team. Mohammad Rizwan, who had led Pakistan in the 50-over format, was replaced after a series of disappointing results earlier this year — including a tri-series loss at home against New Zealand and a poor Champions Trophy campaign. Shaheen’s appointment represents both a fresh start and a test of his leadership under pressure.
Interestingly, the visiting South African side will also take the field with a reshuffled lineup. Their regular captain, Temba Bavuma, has been ruled out due to injury, while pace stars Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen have been rested. In their absence, Matthew Breetzke — who made headlines with a record 150-run score on his ODI debut — will captain the Proteas. Despite missing several key players, Breetzke seems optimistic. “There’s a great opportunity for the younger guys to step up and show what they can do,” he said.
Adding to the excitement, Quinton de Kock will return to action after reversing his 2023 retirement decision. His comeback adds experience and firepower to the South African lineup.
Both Pakistan and South Africa enter this ODI series on equal footing after their recent Test series ended 1-1. For Shaheen, this series isn’t just about winning — it’s about reclaiming Pakistan’s dominance in the format and proving his leadership credentials on the global stage. Fans will be watching closely to see how this new chapter unfolds.
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