Lahore (Sports Reporter):Unbeaten Pakistan will look to continue their winning momentum when they take on England in the fourth match of the ODI tri-series at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore later today.
The toss will take place at 12.30pm, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 1pm local time.
As part of the breast cancer awareness initiative, Pakistan players will wear pink kits during the match.
Left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who will lead Pakistan in today’s fixture, is also on the verge of a significant personal milestone. The 26-year-old has taken 149 wickets in 79 ODIs, including three five-wicket hauls and requires just one wicket to become the fastest Pakistan pacer to reach 150 ODI wickets.
Former Pakistan fast bowlers Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar achieved the milestone in 91 ODIs each.
If Shaheen reaches the landmark today, he will become the second-fastest Pakistan bowler to claim 150 ODI wickets, behind former off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who achieved the feat in 78 matches. Nepal’s Sandeep Lamichhane holds the record, having bagged his 150th ODI wicket in his 73rd match.
Shaheen has featured in six matches at the Gaddafi Stadium, taking 16 wickets. As Pakistan’s ODI captain, he has led the side in 13 matches, securing nine wins, including series wins against Australia and South Africa.
Pakistan have remained unbeaten in the ongoing ODI tri-series, winning both their matches at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The hosts began their campaign with a 37-run win over Sri Lanka before registering a comprehensive 87-run win against England.
Today’s fixture will mark the first ODI between Pakistan and England at the Gaddafi Stadium since 12 December, 2005. In their previous ODI encounter at the venue, Pakistan defeated England by seven wickets, with former right-arm fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar taking five wickets to help the hosts secure a comfortable win.
