Pakistan’s fast bowler and captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has expressed confidence in his team’s readiness for the upcoming ODI series against Australia. He highlighted that the training camp sessions have been rigorous, with the squad fully focused on securing victories.
“Australia is one of the strongest teams globally, and matches against them are always challenging,” Shaheen remarked during a media interaction ahead of the series. He emphasized the hard work put in by the players during the training camp and their determination to achieve positive results.
Shaheen affirmed that the team has prepared thoroughly for the Australian challenge, noting that every squad member plays a crucial role. He also commended senior batter Babar Azam for his impressive performances in the Pakistan Super League, expressing optimism that Babar will maintain his form throughout the series.
Furthermore, Shaheen pointed out the selectors’ efforts to integrate young talent into the team, underlining its importance for the future of Pakistan cricket. He mentioned that all bowlers are focusing on increasing their pace, while players identified by the head coach are working on specific areas for improvement.
Meanwhile, Australia’s captain Josh Inglis acknowledged the strength of his squad and anticipated a fiercely competitive series. “We have a lot of talent in the team,” Inglis said. “Pakistan is a very capable side. Our training sessions have been productive, and we hope to deliver strong performances.”
The three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Australia is set to commence on Saturday with a day-night match in Rawalpindi, starting at 4:30 pm local time. The subsequent two matches will take place in Lahore on June 2 and June 4.
Pakistan’s squad features the return of several senior players, including Babar Azam, alongside a number of promising young cricketers. Australia, however, will be without their regular captain Mitchell Marsh, who is sidelined due to injury, with Josh Inglis stepping in as captain for the series.
