Pakistan captain says home teams are entitled to prepare conditions that maximise their chances of winning despite concerns over World Cup relevance.
Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has defended the team’s decision to use spin-friendly surfaces during the ODI series against Australia, insisting that every side tailors conditions to suit its strengths when playing at home.
The debate over pitch preparation dominated the three-match series, with Pakistan producing turning tracks in Rawalpindi and Lahore that heavily favoured their spin attack. The hosts eventually secured a 2-1 series victory, sealing the contest with a tense low-scoring win at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
However, the nature of the pitches sparked questions about their value as preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, where faster and bouncier conditions are expected to prevail.
Shaheen dismissed those concerns, pointing out that the World Cup is still more than a year away and that Pakistan have enough time to prepare for different conditions. He argued that home advantage is an accepted part of international cricket and highlighted Pakistan’s own success on lively Australian pitches during a previous tour.
The Pakistan captain also noted that upcoming Test tours of the West Indies and England would provide valuable experience for players likely to feature at the World Cup. He added that the team plans to experiment with a variety of pitch conditions as the tournament approaches.
One of the biggest positives for Pakistan during the series was the emergence of young left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas. The 21-year-old made a dream ODI debut in Rawalpindi, claiming a five-wicket haul and becoming the first Pakistani bowler to achieve the feat on debut. His consistent performances across the series earned him the Player-of-the-Series award.
Pakistan largely stuck with the same playing XI throughout the series, despite having uncapped players Ahmed Daniyal and Rohail Nazir available in the squad. The decision reflected the team’s desire to build continuity after a period of frequent experimentation in bilateral cricket.
Another major talking point was the return of Shadab Khan to the ODI side. Playing his first ODI series since the 2023 World Cup, Shadab initially struggled with the ball but made important contributions with the bat. His fighting 71 in the second ODI and unbeaten 29 in the series decider played key roles in keeping Pakistan competitive and eventually helping them clinch the trophy.
Shaheen praised Shadab’s experience and composure, stating that senior players are often the difference-makers in pressure situations. He also highlighted the performances of Minhas and leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed as encouraging signs for Pakistan’s future.
Following the series, Pakistan now enter a rare break before beginning a busy international schedule that includes Test tours of the West Indies and England, followed by a home series against Sri Lanka later in the year. The team is expected to return to white-ball cricket after those assignments as preparations for the 2027 World Cup continue.
