Pakistan’s cricket board makes a sweeping change to the Test squad and coaching setup ahead of the third and final Test against England, drawing sharp criticism from former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi. Sources report that the overhaul follows heavy defeats in the first two Tests, with Pakistan facing the prospect of a 3-0 series loss if it fails in the last match.
Afridi calls the decision “the most shocking decision ever,” questioning both the timing and the selection logic. Reports say seven players and coaches are removed, and the replacements include five uncapped players for the final Test at Edgbaston. Some outlets also state that Misbah-ul-Haq has reportedly resigned from the selection committee. Afridi argues that adding players with primarily T20 backgrounds for a Test in England is questionable.
NDTV and other outlets frame the criticism as part of broader discontent among former cricketers, focusing on the magnitude of the changes and the short window between Pakistan’s losses and the final Test. Across reports, the common point remains that the PCB’s mid-series overhaul is made after Pakistan loses at least the first two Tests, leaving the team to try to avoid a series whitewash in the remaining match.
