Shaheen Shah Afridi eyes the “WTC Final” as Pakistan resume their campaign

Pakistan are just a sleep away from starting the business end of their World Test Championship (WTC) campaign. 

Pakistan ready to give their best

They will play Bangladesh in a two-match Test series across Dhaka and Sylhet. This is the first time the two teams will face each other in the longest format of the game since Bangladesh whitewashed Pakistan 2-0 at home in 2024.

“We are looking forward to the challenge of the Test series. Tests are very important for us, and this is a long Test season for us — perhaps for the first time like this. We are fully prepared and ready to give our best,” Afridi said.

Bangladesh turned the home advantage in Pakistan to their favour, which is how they defeated them in both Tests. Sticking to the basics, the visitors were able to utilise their specialist spinners on the final day to wreak havoc with Pakistan’s batting lineup. 

In the aftermath of the whitewash, it was widely believed that Bangladesh were able to decipher the pitches in Pakistan better than the home team.

Shaheen thinks any team can override the home advantage with ample preparation and execution.

“We hope the conditions will be good for us and we will play excellent cricket. Every team is strong in its home conditions, but what matters most is how well you prepare and execute,” he added.

Can Pakistan make it to the final?

Pakistan have yet to make it to the final of the WTC. They ended the previous cycle at the bottom of the table with only five wins in 14 Test matches. Shaheen, however, says his team has its eyes on the final this time.

“We are not only focused on this Test series but also on the ICC World Test Championship. Our target is to reach the final, and for that we must play our best cricket consistently,” Shaheen Afridi stated.

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