Shaheen hails Pakistan Shaheens’ victory as a momentous occasion, Pakistan’s One-day International captain Shaheen Shah Afridi recently shared his immense satisfaction following a successful period for Pakistani cricket. Addressing the press after his side completed a series sweep against Sri Lanka, Shaheen specifically highlighted the triumph of the Pakistan Shaheens against India ‘A’ at the Rising Stars Asia Cup, emphasizing a positive trajectory for the sport in the nation.
The senior Pakistan team demonstrated formidable form, securing their second consecutive ODI series victory. This followed a successful campaign against South Africa a week earlier, culminating in a dominant six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the third and final ODI held in Rawalpindi. This consistent performance underscores a period of strong momentum.
Shaheen Hails Pakistan Shaheens’ Victory Against Neighbours
A significant point of pride for Shaheen was the Pakistan Shaheens’ eight-wicket thrashing of India ‘A’ in Qatar. He noted, “Today Pakistan Shaheen also won, and more importantly they against our neighbours … it makes you happy that all the youngsters performed.” This particular victory, observed Shaheen, showcases the depth of talent emerging within Pakistan cricket, promising a bright future. SindhNews.com reported extensively on this developmental success.
In the senior team’s final ODI against Sri Lanka, Pakistan’s bowlers were instrumental, efficiently dismissing the opposition for 211 runs. The chase was then confidently marshalled by Mohammad Rizwan, who registered his second half-century in as many matches, securing the hosts’ win. Shaheen praised the collective effort, stating, “everyone chipped in across the three matches, everyone played their best cricket which is why we won.”
Senior players like Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam continue to be pivotal. Shaheen described them as “the backbone of the team,” highlighting their consistent performance. Rizwan notably finessed both matches, fulfilling his role as an experienced finisher. Babar Azam, too, found his rhythm, ending an 83-inning century drought across all formats during the second ODI.
Shaheen lauded Babar’s perseverance, remarking, “it’s important for Pakistan cricket when your main batter gets big runs. He was working on it throughout, he’s been fighting, he kept his focus and reaped the rewards.” The captain affirmed the team’s commitment to maintaining this winning momentum as they prepare for the upcoming tri-nation T20 series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, which is set to commence on Tuesday.
Conclusion
With both the senior side and the developmental squad achieving significant victories, Pakistan cricket appears to be in a robust state. The recent series sweep and the Shaheens’ notable triumph reflect a blend of experienced leadership and emerging talent, setting a promising tone for future international commitments and ongoing development within the sport.