Watch: Shaheen Afridi dismisses Babar Azam for duck in practice ahead of Pakistan ODI tri-series

The Pakistan National Cricket team has begun their practice for the upcoming Tri-Nation ODI series against New Zealand and South Africa, starting on February 8. This series will be a crucial preparation for the much-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to begin on February 19. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has organised a training camp in Lahore to ensure the squad is in good form.

During an intra-squad practice match in Lahore on Tuesday, Pakistani pacer Shaheen Afridi dismissed star batter Babar Azam for a duck. The star batter was completely outplayed by Afridi’s delivery in the very first over.

Pakistan’s Tri-Nation series against New Zealand and South Africa will be played in a single-league format, with matches scheduled at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. Originally planned for Multan, the series was relocated to these two venues to allow PCB to upgrade facilities ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Both the stadiums have undergone renovation, with Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium now having a higher seating capacity, state-of-the-art replay screens, and improved hospitality enclosures. On the other hand, Karachi’s National Bank Stadium has also received similar upgrades to meet international standards.

Pakistan’s first match in the Tri-Nation series is against New Zealand under the lights at Gaddafi Stadium. The Proteas will join the action from February 9 onwards.

Also Read: Pakistan government to deploy army troops for tri-nation series

Pakistan's squad for Tri-Nation ODI series

Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Usman Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Rizwan (c, wk), Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah.