Afridi condemns Pakistan overhaul during England Test series

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has strongly criticised Pakistan’s decision to overhaul its Test squad and coaching staff midway through the series in England. BBC Sport reported that seven players have been dropped, seven called up and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed removed after Pakistan suffered heavy defeats in the opening two Tests.

Watch the highlights:

Sarfaraz and assistant coach Umar Gul have been replaced by white-ball coach Mike Hesson and former Australia seamer Ashley Noffke. The changes come before the third and final Test at Edgbaston, which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, September 9. Pakistan enter that match seeking to respond after being comprehensively beaten twice.

Five of the omitted players — Muhammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman and Khurram Shahzad — appeared during the series. Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Jafar have also been sent home without playing. BBC Sport said the scale and timing of the reshuffle prompted Afridi to question both the selection logic and the dismissal of Sarfaraz after five Tests in charge.

The incoming group includes two batters with previous Test experience, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal. Five uncapped players have also been selected: spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas, left-arm seamer Mohammed Imran Jr, wicketkeeper Said Baig, and all-rounders Mohammad Imran and Razaullah. Afridi argued that the replacements did not appear suited to the demands of a Test match in England.

Ramiz Raja, another former Pakistan captain and a former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, also criticised the move. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he said he had tried to convince himself the decisions were acceptable but could not, describing them as evidence that Pakistan cricket had reacted in panic.

The disruption follows controversy during the second Test, when the PCB threatened to cancel the remainder of the match and tour over a Sky interview with the sons of imprisoned former Pakistan captain and prime minister Imran Khan. Pakistan ultimately completed the Test, while captain Babar Azam and Sarfaraz denied knowing of a planned boycott. A previously arranged audience with King Charles at Clarence House is still expected to take place this week, according to BBC Sport.