ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s cricket team Skipper Babar Azam has demanded maximum dedication from his fellow teammates and asked them to deliver 100 percent effort in the ODI series against Afghanistan.
The national cricket team is poised to kick off the final phase of its preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup and ICC T20 World Cup.
The team is set to face Afghanistan in the first of three One-Day Internationals at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, starting Tuesday.
Pakistan’s entry into the series follows a streak of impressive victories, having recently triumphed over Sri Lanka in a two-Test series and secured a 4-1 victory against New Zealand in home One-Day Internationals during April and May.
With the Men’s ODI Asia Cup 2023 slated to commence a mere four days after the conclusion of the third and final match in Colombo, closely followed by the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, these three encounters with Afghanistan offer Pakistan a valuable opportunity to fine-tune their strategies and combinations.
Speaking on the eve of the first ODI against Afghanistan, Captain Babar Azam expressed his enthusiasm for the team’s reunion and welcomed the new faces within the squad. He extended his well wishes to the newcomers, acknowledging the distinct honor of representing Pakistan on the international stage.
Reflecting on the team’s recent successes, Babar shared, “We enter this series with good momentum following our Test series win here and we are eager to build on it. As a captain, I am very excited for the cricket ahead.”
In ODIs, Pakistan has exhibited outstanding results in recent times. Since the start of 2022, the team has maintained a win/loss ratio of 3.250, boasting 13 wins in 17 matches – a record that stands as the best among all teams. In May, Pakistan achieved a historic milestone by topping the ICC rankings for ODI sides, reflecting their prowess and potential to ascend further with a favorable performance against Afghanistan.
Buoyed by their achievements, the team’s confidence is palpable, with every player eager to seize opportunities as they arise. While the ultimate objective is to excel in the World Cup, Babar emphasized the team’s approach of focusing on each challenge as it comes.
Babar said that they focused on their preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup and the World Cup. But, currently, their focus is on the Afghanistan series, as the Afghanistan team is on the rise and has some good players.
Inclusion in Pakistan Team
Pakistan’s squad for the Afghanistan series features notable additions, including all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, emerging batter Tayyab Tahir, and middle-order batter Saud Shakeel. Their inclusion underscores the team’s depth and readiness to take on the challenges ahead.
Expressing his thoughts on the new additions, Babar highlighted their strengths and contributions. Responding to a question, Babar said that We have included Faheem because of his all-round abilities… I am especially impressed by how Saud has transformed into a modern-day batter in such a quick time.”
The second and third ODIs are scheduled for August 24 and 26 in Hambantota and Colombo, respectively.
