He added that playing as much cricket as possible before the World Cup would benefit England’s preparations.

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan will aim to make a strong start to the ODI tri-series when they face Sri Lanka in the opening match at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday. The match is scheduled to begin at 1pm.

England are the third team in the tournament and held their first training session at the venue on Saturday as preparations gathered pace.

Shaheen Afridi Targets 2027 World Cup Progress

Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said the team were focused on building a competitive squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with preparations taking into account the conditions expected in South Africa.

“Our focus is on the World Cup. We have been trying to build the team since the previous series, keeping the conditions in South Africa in mind,” Shaheen told reporters on Saturday.

He declined to comment on Test cricket but praised Pakistan’s recent performances in the T20I series against Sri Lanka, saying the team remained united and determined to improve.

“We want to play cricket aggressively,” he said, adding that Pakistan would make every effort to win the World Cup.

Shaheen also backed experienced batter Babar Azam, describing him as the backbone of the team and saying he was not under pressure.

Babar, who captained Pakistan for five years, remains an important figure for younger players to learn from, Shaheen said. He added that the batter had also been working on his form in first-class cricket.

Shaheen Praises Salman Ali Agha and Saim Ayub

The Pakistan captain praised Salman Ali Agha’s form, highlighting his recent triple century in first-class cricket. Shaheen also said he wanted to contribute with the bat, ball and in the field.

Expressing confidence in Pakistan’s batting resources, he said the experienced middle order had the ability to chase targets of 400 runs.

He added that younger players would be given opportunities gradually and highlighted Saim Ayub’s bowling as a valuable asset in the ODI format.

Shaheen acknowledged that Pakistan had won several recent series but had struggled to complete clean sweeps. He said the team continued to work towards greater consistency.

Sri Lanka Hope to Build on T20I Comeback

Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis also expressed optimism ahead of the challenging tournament, saying his team had plans in place for the World Cup.

“We have plans in place towards the World Cup and I hope my charges will show some good progress,” Mendis said.

Sri Lanka struggled against Pakistan in the first two T20I matches in Rawalpindi before securing an eight-wicket victory in the third game. They will look to carry that momentum into the ODI tri-series.

Harry Brook Expects Tough Competition

England captain Harry Brook expects a demanding contest against Pakistan and Sri Lanka but said his side were keen to develop into a team capable of winning in all conditions.

“The tri-series will be a contest between very good teams,” Brook said, adding that playing cricket in Pakistan could be challenging.

Brook is familiar with local conditions after representing Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League at the age of 22. He said the experience had helped his international career and made him more confident when playing in the country.

“I know the conditions in Pakistan and the players here,” Brook said. “Playing in the PSL helped me a lot in international cricket.”

Brook said England wanted to become a side capable of chasing any target. He acknowledged that their ODI squad lacked experience, with only a handful of players having featured in 50 matches in the format.

The 27-year-old also called for batting-friendly pitches, saying he enjoyed surfaces that allowed high scores and believed spectators wanted to see boundaries and sixes.

He added that playing as much cricket as possible before the World Cup would benefit England’s preparations.

Tri-Series Final Scheduled for Lahore

The tri-series begins in Rawalpindi on Sunday before moving to Lahore. The final is scheduled for October 31 at Gaddafi Stadium.

The tournament will provide all three teams with an opportunity to assess their combinations and strengthen their preparations for the 2027 World Cup.