Hosts Pakistan face inexperienced South Africa in three-match ODI series starting November 4 in Faisalabad
Shaheen Afridi ready to lead Pakistan in ODI captaincy debut
FAISALABAD: Pakistan’s newly appointed one-day international (ODI) captain Shaheen Shah Afridi is determined to make a winning start in his maiden ODI series as skipper. The three-match series against South Africa begins on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.
“It’s a great honour to lead Pakistan,” the 25-year-old pacer said during a pre-match press conference. “Wearing the national jersey is always special, but captaining the side brings an added sense of responsibility.”
Focused on improvement and team leadership
When asked about taking over the ODI leadership following his earlier stint as T20I captain, Shaheen maintained a calm and professional tone.
“Our job is to serve Pakistan cricket and fulfil any role the management assigns us,” he said. “Right now, my focus is on improving our one-day cricket and leading the team from the front.”
https://infocatchy.com/Pakistan fielding full-strength squad
The Green Shirts will go into the series with a strong squad featuring star players like Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, and the fast-bowling trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah.
With the team at full strength, Pakistan are expected to dominate at home conditions in Faisalabad.
South Africa missing key players
In contrast, the visiting South African team will be without their regular captain Temba Bavuma and seven key players, including fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, who have been rested.
The leadership has been handed to Matthew Breetzke, who made headlines earlier this year with the highest-ever score on ODI debut (150) against New Zealand in Lahore.
Despite the depleted squad, Breetzke remains optimistic:
“We are missing our core group of ODI players, but this gives younger players a great opportunity to prove themselves,” he said.
Quinton de Kock returns from ODI retirement
In a major boost for the Proteas, star wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock will make his comeback to ODI cricket after reversing his 2023 retirement ahead of this tour.
Pakistan vs South Africa 2025 series overview
The three-match ODI series forms part of South Africa’s multi-format tour of Pakistan, which also included two Test matches (shared 1–1) and a T20I series won by Pakistan 2–1.
On Monday, Shaheen Afridi and Matthew Breetzke jointly unveiled the glittering trophy for the ODI series, setting the stage for an exciting battle between the two sides.
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Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi targets victory in his maiden ODI series as skipper as the hosts face a young South Africa side in a three-match series starting November 4, 2025, in Faisalabad.
