Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has openly criticised the recent mass reshuffle of the national side, describing the decision to overhaul the squad and dismiss head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed ahead of the third and final Test against England as "the most shocking ever". The changes, announced by the selection panel, saw seven members of the current team dropped, among them regular wicket‑keeper Mohammad Rizwan, top‑order batsman Imam-ul-Haq and left‑arm spinner Ali Usman. These cuts came after the visitors suffered a heavy 194‑run loss at Lord's, leaving the series at 2‑0 in England's favour with only the Edgbaston Test remaining, scheduled to begin on 9 September. The seven players removed from the roster have been replaced by a group that includes five individuals who have never before played Test cricket.
The newcomers – Arafat Minhas, Mohammed Imran Jr, Said Baig, Mohammad Imran and Razaullah – are all uncapped at the longest format, a move that has raised eyebrows among analysts and fans alike. In addition, the board has reassigned responsibilities within the coaching staff: white‑ball specialist Mike Hesson will now assume overall charge following Sarfaraz Ahmed's dismissal, while former fast‑bowler Ashley Noffke has been promoted to assistant coach after Umar Gul also lost his role. Afridi took to the social‑media platform X to voice his bewilderment, writing: "Not sure what the logic or reasoning behind this decision!" He went on to question the suitability of the replacements, noting that many of the new names are primarily T20 specialists who have never been tested in the rigours of English Test conditions. "Even the replacements make no sense – T20 players have been included for a Test match in England?
What is this thinking and approach? Why has the coach been axed after five Test matches?" he asked, underscoring his frustration with what he perceives as a lack of strategic coherence. Afridi's comments were accompanied by a broader critique of the selection committee, which he described as "the most shocking decision ever by a selection committee which includes so many experienced selectors." He highlighted the puzzling nature of the overhaul, pointing out that the new squad list reads like a blend of uncapped hopefuls and fringe white‑ball players, rather than a balanced blend of experience and youth suited to the demands of a Test match at Edgbaston. The revised squad list includes captain Babar Azam, along with Abdullah Fazal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jr, wicket‑keeper Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Razaullah, Saad Baig (also a wicket‑keeper), Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.
The presence of multiple uncapped players, especially those whose primary experience lies in limited‑overs formats, has sparked a debate about whether Pakistan is prioritising short‑term experimentation over the stability required for a high‑stakes Test encounter. Adding another layer to the controversy, reports from Cricinfo indicate that former captain Misbah-ul-Haq has tendered his resignation from the selection panel, though the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet accepted it.
Misbah's potential departure could further destabilise an already turbulent selection environment, especially as the team grapples with a dismal recent record – losing 15 of their last 20 Test matches and being dismissed for under 200 runs in each of the four innings played in the current series. The batting line‑up has been repeatedly humbled, bowled out for 171 and 135 in Leeds, then 110 and 194 at Lord's, underscoring a systemic struggle against quality English bowling. The Edgbaston Test, the final chance for Pakistan to salvage pride, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage beginning at 10 a.m. (11 a.m.
local time) on Wednesday, 9 September. Viewers without a Sky subscription can explore alternative streaming options, including NOW TV's contract‑free packages, which often feature promotional deals for sports fans. In summary, Afridi's outspoken reaction reflects a broader sense of dismay within the Pakistani cricket community. The sweeping changes, the dismissal of a head coach after a relatively short tenure, and the injection of largely inexperienced players into a high‑pressure Test environment have all contributed to a perception of chaos and mismanagement.
Whether the new selections will coalesce into a competitive unit remains to be seen, but the upcoming match at Edgbaston will undoubtedly serve as a litmus test for the PCB's strategic direction and the resilience of a side that has struggled to find consistency on the international stage.