Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has expressed outright astonishment at the Pakistan cricket board's recent decision to completely revamp the national side ahead of the final Test against England. In a blunt post on the social media platform X, Afridi described the sweeping changes – which include the dismissal of head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and the removal of seven senior players from the squad – as "the most shocking ever" by any selection committee, especially one populated by seasoned administrators.
The backdrop to this dramatic reshuffle is the 194-run thrashing Pakistan endured at Lord's, which left the team trailing 2-0 in the three‑match series with only one Test remaining at Edgbaston, scheduled to begin on September 9. In the wake of that defeat, the selectors opted to axe a host of established names: wicket‑keeper Mohammad Rizwan, top‑order batsman Imam‑ul‑Haq and leg‑spinner Ali Usman were among those dropped. Their places have been filled by a cohort of largely inexperienced players, five of whom have never before featured in Test cricket. The newcomers – Arafat Minhas, Mohammed Imran Jr, Said Baig, Mohammad Imran and Razaullah – are being thrust into the longest format of the game under highly unusual circumstances.
Adding to the controversy, the board has also reassigned the white‑ball coaching responsibilities to Mike Hesson, who will now oversee the Test side following Sarfaraz's termination. Meanwhile, former fast‑bowler Umar Gul has been removed from his role as bowling coach, with Australian former fast bowler Ashley Noffke stepping in as the new assistant coach. These rapid changes have left many observers questioning the strategic rationale behind such a radical overhaul so close to a crucial match.
Afridi's social media commentary highlighted his confusion and disappointment. He wrote, "Not sure what is the logic or reasoning behind this decision!
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 went on to label the decision as the "most shocking ever" by a selection panel that should, in his view, possess a deeper understanding of the game's demands. The list of players named in the revised squad reads like a blend of youth and fringe talent: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Imran, Mohammad Imran Jr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket‑keeper), Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicket‑keeper), Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah.
Many of these names have limited exposure to the rigors of Test cricket, especially in English conditions, which are notoriously challenging for sub‑continental sides. The upheaval comes at a time when Pakistan's Test record has been worrying. The team has lost 15 of its last 20 Test matches, and in the current series they have been bowled out for under 200 runs in each of the four innings played so far – 171 and 135 at Leeds, followed by 110 and 194 at Lord's.
Such low scores underscore the batting frailties that have plagued the side throughout the tour and raise questions about whether the newly drafted players can arrest the decline. Cricinfo reports that former captain Misbah‑ul‑Haq has tendered his resignation from the selection committee, though the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not yet accepted it.
Misbah's potential departure adds another layer of instability to the already turbulent situation within Pakistan cricket administration. For fans eager to follow the climax of the series, the third Test 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 for the first ball) on Wednesday, September 9. Those without a Sky subscription can explore alternative streaming options, such as NOW TV, which offers contract‑free access to the match. In summary, the Pakistani cricket establishment has embarked on a bold, if bewildering, experiment by overhauling its senior squad and coaching staff just days before a decisive Test in England.
While the intention may be to inject fresh energy and perhaps surprise the opposition, the move has drawn sharp criticism from former players like Shahid Afridi, who view it as a hasty and ill‑considered reaction to a series of defeats. Whether this gamble will pay off on the field at Edgbaston remains to be seen, but the eyes of the cricketing world will undoubtedly be fixed on how the new‑look Pakistan side performs under unprecedented pressure.