Shahid Afridi Slams PCB Over England Test Overhaul After Seven Players Axed

Shahid Afridi has strongly criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) following its dramatic decision to overhaul the Test squad and coaching staff during the ongoing tour of England.

Pakistan made wholesale changes after suffering a 194-run defeat against England at Lord’s, a result that gave England an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series. The PCB released seven players from the touring squad and also removed head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul.

PCB drops seven Pakistan players after Lord’s defeat

The PCB’s decision resulted in seven players being released from the Pakistan Test squad. Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha, Ali Usman, Aamer Jamal, Awais Zafar and Khurram Shahzad were all sent back from the touring group.

The changes came immediately after Pakistan’s heavy defeat at Lord’s. With England already leading the series 2-0, the third and final Test at Edgbaston, beginning September 9, will now be played by a significantly reshaped Pakistan side.

Five uncapped players added to Pakistan Test squad

Pakistan have brought five uncapped players into the squad for the final Test. Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Saad Baig, Mohammad Imran Randhawa and Razaullah have been called up.

Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal have also been added to the Test group as Pakistan look to rebuild following their disappointing performances in the opening two matches.

The PCB has also brought members of its white-ball coaching structure into the Test set-up. Mike Hesson and Ashley Noffke, the head coach and bowling coach of the white-ball team respectively, will join the Test coaching staff for the final match.

Shahid Afridi questions PCB’s decision

The sweeping changes did not receive support from former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi. He questioned the logic behind making such significant alterations in the middle of an overseas Test series.

Afridi expressed particular concern about the inclusion of players associated with T20 cricket for a Test match in England. He also questioned why the coaching staff had been changed after only five Tests.

“Not sure what is the logic or reasoning behind this decision!” Shahid Afridi wrote on social media.

Afridi also questioned the selection of the replacements and the decision to remove the coach, describing the move as one of the most shocking decisions made by a selection committee with considerable experience.

Ramiz Raja also criticises Pakistan’s mid-series changes

Former Pakistan captain and PCB chairman Ramiz Raja also expressed serious doubts about the board’s approach. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Raja said he was struggling to see how the changes could be justified.

Raja described the situation as evidence that Pakistan cricket had “hit a panic button”, highlighting the extraordinary nature of making such extensive changes during an ongoing Test series.

Why PCB’s England Test overhaul has raised questions

Changing seven players and two members of the coaching staff midway through a Test series is highly unusual. Such a move can disrupt team continuity, particularly when players and coaches are already adapting to overseas conditions.

Pakistan now face the challenge of integrating several new players into the squad before the final Test at Edgbaston. The new-look team will have limited time to prepare and establish combinations against an England side that has already secured the series.

The inclusion of players with limited Test experience has also prompted questions about whether the PCB is prioritising long-term rebuilding or attempting to produce an immediate response to the series defeat.

PCB yet to explain sweeping changes

Despite the scale of the overhaul, the PCB has not yet provided a detailed explanation for releasing seven players and making changes to the coaching staff during the series.

The final Test at Edgbaston will therefore carry significance beyond the result. Pakistan’s reshaped squad will be under pressure to demonstrate that the dramatic intervention can produce a positive response.

For now, Afridi’s criticism and Raja’s comments have added to the scrutiny surrounding Pakistan cricket, while the PCB faces growing questions about the reasoning behind its England tour overhaul.