NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s 3-0 ODI series victory over Sri Lanka on November 16 carried an added talking point after captain Shaheen Shah Afridi drew attention to Pakistan Shaheens’ win against India A in the Rising Asia Cup.
The senior side wrapped up the series with a six-wicket win, but Afridi’s post-match remarks shifted part of the discussion toward the A-team clash in Doha.
Shaheens’ 'big achievement' remarks
Soon after praising his ODI side for their consistency, Afridi referenced the Shaheens’ eight-wicket win against India A. The young team chased 137 with 40 balls left, a result that Afridi described as meaningful.
He said, “Pakistan Shaheens won against our neighbours, so that's a big achievement for us.”
His comment quickly became the key line emerging from the presentation, adding a layer of competitiveness to the ongoing Rising Asia Cup narrative.
India A had put up early resistance through Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s 45 off 28 and Naman Dhir’s 35 off 20, but their middle order fell away under pressure from Shahid Aziz and Saad Masood. The chase was then settled by Maaz Sadaqat, who struck an unbeaten 79 from 47 balls to seal the match.
Meanwhile, in the ODI series against Sri Lanka, Pakistan’s bowlers controlled the final match with Mohammad Wasim Jr. taking three wickets and Afridi adding one more. The skipper reiterated the value of squad depth, rotation and Wasim Jr.’s return from injury.
