The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the appointment of left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi as the captain of the national One Day International (ODI) team for the upcoming home series against South Africa. The three-match series is scheduled to take place from November 4 to 8 at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.
The decision was finalized during a high-level meeting in Islamabad attended by Head Coach Mike Hesson, Director High Performance Aaqib Javed, and members of the national selection committee.
The appointment marks a significant leadership change, as Afridi replaces wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, who had been leading the team in the ODI format.
This will be Afridi’s first assignment as ODI captain, following his earlier experience of leading Pakistan in the T20 format during early 2024. Despite a brief tenure as T20 skipper, Afridi’s leadership qualities and consistent performances have earned him renewed confidence from the board and the management.
Sources within the PCB revealed that the decision to hand over the ODI captaincy to Afridi was made to bring a fresh perspective to the team’s strategy ahead of next year’s ICC Champions Trophy, which Pakistan is set to host.
Officials believe Afridi’s aggressive mindset, on-field composure, and rapport with younger players will help build a balanced and motivated squad.
Afridi, known for his fiery pace and ability to swing the ball both ways, has been one of Pakistan’s most consistent performers in all formats. Under his leadership, the PCB hopes to inject renewed energy into the national team, which has been striving for stability in its limited-overs setup.
The new captain is expected to meet with the coaching staff and selection committee next week to finalize the ODI squad and outline preparations for the upcoming South Africa series.
