Shaheen Afridi’s Bold Statement After First Win as Pakistan ODI Captain
Pakistan secured a thrilling two-wicket victory over South Africa in the opening match of their three-match ODI series. The game took place at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, marking the debut of Shaheen Afridi as captain of the Pakistan ODI team.
Shaheen Afridi’s Bold Statement as Captain
After the match, Afridi displayed a composed demeanor, downplaying the pressure that comes with leadership. “Was a normal game for me. Nothing special,” he stated during the post-match presentation on Tuesday. He praised his team’s performance, especially their ability to navigate the challenging conditions of the second innings.
Key Performances from the Match
- Salman Agha: 62 runs off 71 balls, including 5 fours and 1 six
- Mohammad Rizwan: 55 runs off 74 balls, featuring 6 boundaries
- Fakhar Zaman: 45 runs off 57 balls
- Saim Ayub: 39 runs off 42 balls
- Hussain Talat: 22 runs off 25 balls
Chasing a target of 264 runs, Pakistan achieved their goal in 49.4 overs, finishing with two wickets to spare. This victory gives the team a 1-0 lead in the series.
South Africa’s Batting and Bowling Highlights
Batting first, South Africa scored 263 runs. Their top performers included:
- Quinton de Kock: 63 runs off 71 balls
- Lhuan-dre Pretorious: 57 runs off 60 balls
- Captain Breetzke: 42 runs off 54 balls
- Corbin Bosch: 41 runs off 40 balls
Pakistan’s bowling was led by:
- Naseem Shah: 3 wickets for 40 runs in 9.1 overs
- Abrar Ahmed: 3 wickets for 53 runs in 9 overs
- Saim Ayub: 2 wickets for 39 runs in 8 overs
- Shaheen Afridi: 1 wicket for 55 runs in 10 overs
- Mohammad Nawaz: 1 wicket for 45 runs in 10 overs
Looking Ahead
The second ODI of the series is scheduled for Thursday, November 6, at the same venue. As Pakistan aims to build on this victory, the dynamics of the series will be closely watched.
