But at a stage in his career when he has much to prove, the left-arm pace spearhead has the One-day International (ODI) captaincy firmly in his grasp, with the 2027 World Cup looming on the horizon.
asserted
Cup → have → horizon
Unlike in 2024, when he was removed as Pakistan’s T20 captain after just one series in charge, the country’s cricket board appears to have committed to giving Shaheen a longer run as leader.
asserted
board → remove → leader
Appointed to the ODI role 12 months ago, he is expected to lead Pakistan through to next year’s World Cup in South Africa.
asserted
he → appoint → Africa
When Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in the opening match of the ODI tri-series on Sunday, Shaheen will have Babar Azam among his charges.
asserted
Shaheen → take → charges
Babar replaced him as T20 captain in 2024 before eventually making way for Salman Ali Agha.
asserted
Babar → replace → Agha
Shaheen, meanwhile, took over the ODI captaincy from former skipper Mohammad Rizwan, who is currently under investigation by the country’s cybercrime agency.
asserted
who → take → agency
Not long ago, Babar, Shaheen and Rizwan formed the core of Pakistan’s leadership group, with Babar shouldering much of the responsibility.
asserted
Babar → form → responsibility
He appeared to enjoy the backing of the other two, but the dynamics eventually changed amid a succession of captaincy reshuffles.
asserted
dynamics → appear → reshuffles
Despite that turbulent history, Shaheen wants his side to be seen as a united team, with a common objective: winning the 2027 World Cup.
asserted
side → want → Cup
“We are united as a team and our collective focus is towards winning the World Cup and how we can do it,” he told reporters at a pre-series press conference at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
asserted
he → unite → Saturday
“The messaging from you [the media] should be good as well, to tell the people that this team is united, there is love in this team and this team tries to play good cricket.
asserted
team → tell → cricket
If you portray it to the people, kids in a way that is too serious, they will be worried about why we are not winning.”
asserted
we → portray → way
Shaheen was particularly emphatic in his support for Babar, describing the former captain as the “backbone” of the side.
asserted
Shaheen → describe → side
“There is no pressure on Babar, he is our main player,” said the 26-year-old.
asserted
old → be → Babar
“He has performed well over the past few home series.”
asserted
He → perform → series
Under Shaheen, Pakistan’s ODI side has spent the past year rebuilding, winning all their home series in the process.
asserted
side → spend → process
Those assignments were played on slower surfaces, with spin-friendly pitches used most recently during the series against Australia in May and June.
uncertain
pitches → play → May
The conditions for the tri-series, however, are expected to offer a different challenge, with pitches being prepared to better resemble those in South Africa.
asserted
pitches → expect → Africa
The surfaces appeared greener during Pakistan’s recent T20I series against Sri Lanka, and Shaheen confirmed that there had been a deliberate effort to encourage lateral movement and bounce.
asserted
Shaheen → appear → movement
“Over the course of the last four one-day series, we have tried to build this team, since our focus is on [next year’s] World Cup and how we can prepare for it,” he said.
asserted
he → try → it
“Henceforth we have also tried to prepare the wickets accordingly.”
asserted
we → try → wickets
Pakistan will also play a five-match ODI series in England before beginning their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan on Oct 8.
asserted
Pakistan → play → Oct
“We want our fast bowlers to get help [off the surface] so when we play in South Africa and in England, both our bowling and our batting has the potential to get the other team out and chase the runs [respectively],” Shaheen said.
asserted
Shaheen → want → runs
The conditions will also influence Pakistan’s team combination, with Shaheen indicating that the side could field three or four fast bowlers.
uncertain
side → influence → bowlers
That would make opener-turned-all-rounder Saim Ayub’s contribution with the ball particularly important, despite his recent struggles in T20 and Test cricket.
asserted
contribution → make → cricket
“Saim Ayub may have struggled in T20 cricket, he struggled in the Test match as well,” Shaheen said.
uncertain
Shaheen → struggle → match
“But as far as one-day cricket is concerned, we really need him.
asserted
we → concern → him
“Because if we go with three or four pacers, then the team needs his bowling.
asserted
team → go → bowling
If we keep giving him opportunities, he will thrive for Pakistan.”
asserted
he → keep → Pakistan
Following their opening match against Sri Lanka, Pakistan will face England on Oct 20 and 25 before taking on Sri Lanka again on Oct 27.
asserted
Pakistan → follow → Oct
The tri-series final is scheduled for Oct 31.
asserted
final → schedule → Oct
The Aporia
