Shaheen Afridi's ODI record sums up horrible 2025 form; can Pakistan captain redeem himself vs Sri Lanka?

Shaheen Afridi hasn't had a great year in ODIs [Source: AFP]

Shaheen Afridi had a terrific start to his ODI captaincy, as Pakistan swatted aside South Africa comfortably by 2-1 on home soil. While Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Rizwan and Abrar Ahmed passed the Proteas challenge with flying colours, skipper Shaheen Afridi blew hot and cold, scalping three wickets in as many matches. 

More importantly, the year 2025 hasn't been a memorable one for Shaheen Afridi, the ODI bowler, which is why the Pakistan captain would like to turn things around in the upcoming Sri Lanka series. 

Shaheen Afridi's ODI record in 2025 suggests a dip in form

(Shaheen Afridi's contrasting ODI record before and in 2025)

Observation and Inference

As evidenced by the above stats, Shaheen Afridi was simply outstanding in ODIs till 2024. However, his performance has taken a downward trend this year, as he has bagged only 15 wickets at an ordinary average of 36.07. 

While Shaheen has taken more than 33 balls to take a wicket, he has conceded 6.53 runs per over, signifying a decline in his bowling form. Added to that, he recently assumed Pakistan's ODI captaincy, which is why the fast bowler would be under pressure to deliver and justify his credentials in the Sri Lanka ODIs. 

In such a scenario, a big question arises: Can Shaheen redeem himself against Sri Lanka's spirited outfit? Let's analyse some crucial factors to draw a conclusion. 

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SL batters vs left-arm pace: What do the numbers tell?

(SL's expected lineup vs left-arm pace in ODIs)

Sri Lanka will likely go with Nissanka and Kamil Mishara as their opening duo, which will be followed by the reliable quartet of Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, skipper Charith Asalanka and Janith Liyanage at 3, 4, 5 and 6, respectively. Kamindu Mendis could be slotted in at number 7 as the all-rounder. 

Thus, Sri Lanka have three right-handers among their top four batters; so, anyone would expect the left-arm pacer Shaheen to use his expertise and trouble the Lankan lineup. However, interestingly, four out of six Lankan batters have an exceptional record against left-arm fast bowling in ODI cricket. 

Mishara has yet to face a left-arm pacer in his ODI career, while Sri Lanka's three key batters- Mendis, Nissanka and Asalanka have solid numbers against the left-arm seamers. So, given that they will bat in the top 5, it could be a daunting task for Shaheen to dominate them. 

Shaheen Afridi vs Sri Lanka's key batters in ODIs

(Shaheen Afridi's ODI record vs SL's crucial batters)

The data in the table above shows that Shaheen Afridi hasn't had much success with the ball against these Sri Lankan batters in ODIs. 

While he has yet to dismiss each one of Nissanka, Mendis, Samarawickrama, Asalanka and Liyanage in ODIs, Shaheen has conceded 78 runs at an economy of 5.78. Considering his head-to-head record, we believe he might find it tricky to get going against these players in the upcoming series. 

Conclusion

Apart from the new ball swing, what makes Shaheen Afridi deadly is the clever usage of the left-arm angle to outfox the batters. 

While his head-to-head record and Sri Lankan batters' overall performance against left-arm pace cast doubts over his success, Shaheen can still emerge as a potent threat to the Lankans if Naseem Shah cooperates him and keeps the visitors under the pump at the other end. 

Cricket is a team game, and bowling is done in partnerships. We are all aware of what kind of havoc McGrath and Warne used to wreak when Australia bowled them in tandem. 

So, if Naseem Shah complements Shaheen Afridi with the new ball, the latter can take the advantage of it and change his ODI fortunes in 2025 with impactful performances. 

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