Watch: “Pakistan don’t need pace”- Shaheen Afridi on pace drop ahead of Pakistan vs England tri-series clash

Pakistan captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, has acknowledged the declined in his bowling speed but reckoned that the tam has Haris Rauf and Razaullah to offer them the additional pace as they prepare for their next game of the tri-series 2026 against England. They are so far unbeaten in the series with wins over both Sri Lanka and England.  

Afridi has overall picked up 149 wickets for Pakistan in 78 innings of the 50-over format at an average of 24.62 and a strike rate of 26.5 along with an economy rate of 5.55 with the help of eight four-wicket hauls at the best bowling figures of 6/35. In this tri-series, he picked up three wickets. 

What did Shaheen Afridi say? Captain admits pace drop, backs Haris Rauf

While speaking at the press conference in Lahore, the Pakistan ODI captain admitted the criticism and moved the answer towards Haris Rauf, who is renowned for his aggressive pace. He also stressed on the preparation of the surfaces that suited the pacers, adding that the team had been working hard to create the conditions.

Watch Shaheen Afridi's comment here- 

“We have Haris Rauf for that. We have performed well in both matches. The wickets have been very good, and we also asked the curator to prepare a good wicket here.” Afridi expressed in the pre-match press conference.

See Also: Pakistan announce Test squad for Sri Lanka series: Mohammad Rizwan left out, Babar Azam to lead, full squad details

Shaheen identified Fakhar Zaman as the best batter of the Pakistan side in the ODIs and reflected on his importance in the team. He described Abrar Ahmed as the team’s main spinner, saying that he would be retained when the conditions would help the spinners.

How Pakistan are preparing for the England clash at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

Pakistan began the tri-series with a 37-run victory against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium when they defended 305 runs, having bundled out the tourists for 268 runs in the second innings in 48.1 overs. Their second clash ended in a 87-run win against England when they defended 302 runs.

Their next clash has been against the Harry Brook-led side at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on October 25. A win will take them to the final of the series on October 31.

See Also: Pakistan men's cricket schedule 2026-27: Full fixtures, dates, format & more

Pakistan squad for England clash-

Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Saad Baig(w), Salman Agha, Hasan Nawaz, Arafat Minhas, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi(c), Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Ghazi Ghori, Sufyan Moqim, Razaullah, Abrar Ahmed, Shadab Khan