RAWALPINDI: Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi strengthened his growing credentials as a successful One-Day International (ODI) leader after taking three wickets in his team’s 37-run victory over Sri Lanka in the opening match of the tri-nation series at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Highest win percentage as Pakistan’s ODI captain (min. 10 matches)
Saleem Malik: 61.76
Shaheen Afridi: 61.53*
Shoaib Malik: 60.97
Wasim Akram: 60.55
Babar Azam: 60.46 https://t.co/11DwO96eLJ— Usman (@Usman_56Offical) October 19, 2026
Shaheen’s performance with the ball helped Pakistan defend their 305-run total, with the hosts bowling Sri Lanka out for 268 in 48.1 overs. His captaincy record, reported at a 66.7 per cent winning rate, places him among Pakistan’s most promising ODI leaders, although a relatively limited number of matches means his long-term standing remains to be established.
The left-arm fast bowler led from the front as Pakistan’s pace attack claimed all 10 Sri Lankan wickets. Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Faheem Ashraf provided valuable support, taking two wickets apiece.
– Dismissed Kamindu Mendis.
– Dismissed Sahan Arachchige.CAPTAIN SHAHEEN AFRIDI HAS CHANGED THE GAME FOR PAKISTAN! 🇵🇰🔥 https://t.co/8hVvTUfgFU
— Ahmad Haseeb (@iamAhmadhaseeb) October 18, 2026
Earlier, Salman Ali Agha produced a match-winning century, scoring 107 off 90 balls to guide Pakistan to 305. Babar Azam added 45 runs, helping the home side establish a competitive total.
Sri Lanka threatened to challenge Pakistan’s target through Janith Liyanage and Pavan Rathnayake, who put together a 119-run fifth-wicket partnership. However, Pakistan’s bowlers broke the stand and prevented the visitors from completing the chase.
The victory gave Shaheen an encouraging start to the home tri-series featuring England and Sri Lanka, which also serves as preparation for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
🚨 Shaheen Shah Afridi makes his mark among the leading ODI wicket-takers after 78 matches among active bowlers from Full Member nations, sitting second with 149 wickets! 🇵🇰🔥
Only Mitchell Starc is ahead of the Pakistan pacer with 152 wickets. 🏏 https://t.co/eNTd1yjgAW
— CricFollow (@CricFollow56) October 19, 2026
How Shaheen compares with Pakistan’s leading ODI captains
Pakistan have produced several accomplished ODI captains, including World Cup-winning leader Imran Khan and former skippers Wasim Akram and Inzamam-ul-Haq. Historical records show that several of these captains sustained strong winning rates over substantially longer careers.
Shaheen’s reported 66.7 per cent winning rate compares favourably with the records of five prominent Pakistan ODI captains:
- Saleem Malik: Won 21 of 34 ODIs as captain, a winning rate of 61.8 per cent.
- Wasim Akram: Won 66 of 109 ODIs, with a winning rate of 60.6 per cent.
- Waqar Younis: Won 37 of 62 ODIs, achieving a winning rate of 59.7 per cent.
- Inzamam-ul-Haq: Won 51 of 87 ODIs, recording a winning rate of 58.6 per cent.
- Shoaib Malik: Won 25 of 41 ODIs, with a winning rate of approximately 61 per cent.
Shaheen’s reported percentage is higher than those of these five captains, but the comparison requires context. The former leaders accumulated their records over dozens or more than 100 matches, while Shaheen’s captaincy sample is much smaller.
Read Also: Pakistan Beat Sri Lanka by 37 Runs in ODI Tri-Series Opener
For Shaheen, the immediate challenge is to translate his promising figures into sustained results against stronger opposition. Victories over England and Sri Lanka in the ongoing tri-series would provide a more substantial test of his leadership.
WHAT A SPELL BY CAPTAIN SHAHEEN AFRIDI..!! 🫡
Overs – 10.
Run conceded – 55.
Wickets – 3.
Economy – 5.50He has been superb with the ball in the 1st ODI against Sri Lanka. ⭐🔥
#PAKvSL https://t.co/foCXGFVqy2
— Rana Ahmad. (@AhmadRana056) October 18, 2026
Brief profile: Shaheen Shah Afridi
Shaheen Shah Afridi was born on April 6, 2000, in Landi Kotal, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A left-arm fast bowler, he made his international debut in 2018 and quickly emerged as one of Pakistan’s leading pace options.
Known for his ability to generate pace, swing the new ball and take early wickets, Shaheen has represented Pakistan across all three international formats. He also captained Lahore Qalandars to consecutive Pakistan Super League titles in 2022 and 2023.
The Pakistan Cricket Board appointed him ODI captain in October 2025. His experience as a frontline bowler and franchise captain has provided a foundation for his international leadership.
His three-wicket performance against Sri Lanka offers another encouraging chapter in that journey. While his reported 66.7 per cent ODI winning rate is an impressive statistical benchmark, sustained success over a larger number of matches will ultimately determine his place among Pakistan’s finest captains.
