The three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Afghanistan begins in Sri Lanka from Tuesday. Despite Pakistan winning all four ODIs against Afghanistan since they first faced each other in 2012, Babar Azam said ‘we will not take these matches lightly’.
Pakistan cricket team under the leadership of Babar Azam will enter the Mahinda Rajapakse International Stadium to play the first ODI against Afghanistan.
Pakistan team captain Babar Azam while talking to PCB Digital said that ‘All the players are having a lot of fun with each other as a unit. There are a few new faces in the team and we wish them all the best to rise to the challenge. Most of the boys have been playing in different leagues but when you wear the star of Pakistan, there are different emotions. I am very excited for the upcoming cricket as the captain and our momentum is built with the series win against Sri Lanka.’
Pakistan’s recent ODI record has been better than all other teams, having won 13 out of 17 ODIs since the start of 2022. In May this year, Pakistan secured the first position in the ICC ODI World Rankings for the first time, but they were soon stripped of it.
If the Pakistan team wins all three ODIs against Afghanistan, they will return to the first place in the world ODI rankings.
Babar Azam says, ‘Our focus is currently on preparations as we have to play two big events in the coming days, the Asia Cup and the World Cup.’
Under the captaincy of Babar Azam, the Pakistani team has won 17 out of 26 ODIs.
He says that for now he is focused on the series against Afghanistan, “A series like this before big events is beneficial as we are playing in Asian conditions so it will help us to get rhythm and we will be able to play in the Asian conditions.” The advantage will continue.’
Although Afghanistan have never beaten Pakistan in the ODI format, they have beaten Bangladesh 2-1 before this series. Babar Azam says his players are taking this series as a challenge to show match-winning performances.
“We have good players who can handle the spin bowling so it will be an interesting series.”
According to the French news agency AFP, after the first bilateral one-day series between the two teams, the six-nation Asia Cup in Sri Lanka and Pakistan will start from August 30 and the World Cup will be played in India from October 5.
This is the home series for Afghanistan, whose team cannot play international cricket in their country due to security concerns.
“These three matches are a good opportunity for us to test our players,” Babar Azam said while talking to AFP.
Babar Azam is the top batsman in the ODI rankings and leads a strong team that includes openers Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq at the third and fourth positions respectively.
They are supported by a strong fast bowling attack of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.
After withdrawing from The Hundred tournament in England, Afghanistan’s world class spinner Rashid Khan is fit again.
“Afghanistan have developed into a good team,” Azam said of the team that beat Bangladesh 2-1 in the ODI series last month.
This section contains related reference points (Related Nodes field).
Despite Pakistan winning all four ODIs against Afghanistan since they first faced each other in 2012, Babar Azam said ‘we will not take these matches lightly’.
“We have good players who can handle the spin bowling so it will be an interesting series.”
Squads
Pakistan team includes Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Muhammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Abdullah Shafiq, Imamul Haq, Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Muhammad Nawaz, Osama Mir, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Haris, Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Wasim are included.
Afghanistan team Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rehmanullah Garbaz, Ikram Ali Khel, Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hasan, Rehmat Shah, Najeebullah Zadran, Muhammad Nabi, Azmatullah Umarzai, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed, Mujeebur Rehman, Fazlul Haq Farooqui. , Abdul Rahman, Muhammad Saleem Safi and Faithful Momand will consist of.
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#matches #Afghanistan #lightly #Babar #Azam
### Interview with Babar Azam – Captain of the Pakistan Cricket Team
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Babar. The ODI series against Afghanistan starts tomorrow. How is the team feeling heading into this series?
**Babar Azam:** Thank you for having me. The team is in great spirits. We’ve been training hard and enjoying our time together. It’s important that we maintain our bonding, especially with a few new faces in the squad. We’re looking forward to the challenge that Afghanistan poses.
**Interviewer:** Historically, Pakistan has had the upper hand against Afghanistan in ODIs. How do you plan to approach these matches to ensure you don’t take them lightly?
**Babar Azam:** It’s true that we have won all four ODIs against them, but we won’t underestimate them at all. Every match is a fresh opportunity. Our focus is to play our best cricket and execute our plans effectively. We respect every opponent, and Afghanistan is a strong team that can surprise you.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned new faces in the team. How do you feel about their integration into the squad, especially with major upcoming tournaments like the Asia Cup and World Cup?
**Babar Azam:** Bringing in new players is a chance for us to strengthen our lineup. They have the skills, and it’s exciting to see how they step up. Playing against Afghanistan is an excellent way to gauge their readiness before we head into the Asia Cup and World Cup.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of preparation, your team has had an impressive ODI record lately. What’s been the key to your success?
**Babar Azam:** Teamwork and strong execution of our strategies have played a huge role. The players are motivated and have been performing well both individually and as a unit. Winning the series against Sri Lanka helped build our confidence, and we aim to carry that momentum into the matches against Afghanistan.
**Interviewer:** Given the conditions in Sri Lanka, how important is this series for your team?
**Babar Azam:** It’s crucial. Playing in Asian conditions is familiar for most of us, and it will help us find our rhythm before the bigger tournaments ahead. We want to make the most of these conditions and work on our skills, particularly in handling spin bowling.
**Interviewer:** what are your thoughts on Afghanistan’s recent performance, especially after they won a series against Bangladesh?
**Babar Azam:** Afghanistan has developed significantly as a cricketing nation. They’ve got some fantastic players, including Rashid Khan, who can turn a game around. We are ready for a competitive series and see this as an opportunity to showcase our talent.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Babar. We wish you and the team all the best for the series.
**Babar Azam:** Thank you! We appreciate the support and look forward to putting on a great show.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Babar. The ODI series against Afghanistan starts tomorrow. How is the team feeling heading into this series?
**Babar Azam:** Thank you for having me. The team is in great spirits. We’ve been training hard and enjoying our time together. It’s important that we maintain our bonding, especially with a few new faces in the squad. We’re looking forward to the challenge that Afghanistan poses.
**Interviewer:** Historically, Pakistan has had the upper hand against Afghanistan in ODIs. How do you plan to approach these matches to ensure you don’t take them lightly?
**Babar Azam:** It’s true that we have won all four ODIs against them, but we won’t underestimate them at all. Every match is a fresh opportunity. Our focus is to play our best cricket and execute our plans effectively. We respect every opponent, and Afghanistan is a strong team that can surprise you.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned new faces in the team. How do you feel about their integration into the squad, especially with major upcoming tournaments like the Asia Cup and World Cup?
**Babar Azam:** Bringing in new players is a chance for us to strengthen our lineup. They have the skills, and it’s exciting to see how they step up. Playing against Afghanistan is a good opportunity for them to test their abilities in conditions similar to what we will face in the Asia Cup and World Cup.
**Interviewer:** With a strong ODI record and a recent series win against Sri Lanka, how does that influence the team’s confidence going into this series?
**Babar Azam:** A series win definitely builds momentum and confidence. Since the start of 2022, our record has been excellent, and we aim to keep that up. However, we know the importance of remaining grounded and focused. Each match is a step toward our larger goals, including reclaiming the top spot in the ODI rankings.
**Interviewer:** Afghanistan has shown improvements recently, having beaten Bangladesh in their last series. What specific challenges do you anticipate from them?
**Babar Azam:** Afghanistan has developed into a solid team with capable players, especially their spinners. Our players are aware of the challenge and have practiced to handle spin effectively. I expect the series to be competitive, and we need to be at our best to secure victory.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, how does it feel to lead the national team with the upcoming Asia Cup and World Cup in mind?
**Babar Azam:** It’s a privilege to captain my country, and I take that responsibility very seriously. Leading a strong team full of talent is an exciting prospect. I’m focused on our preparations for these major tournaments, and I believe that performing well in this series will lay a solid foundation for what lies ahead. Thank you!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Babar, and best of luck for the series!
