Afridi brands Pakistan selection overhaul during England Tests 'most shocking decision ever'

Shahid Afridi criticised Pakistan's wholesale changes to their squad and coaching set-up during the Test series in England, calling the moves "the most shocking decision ever by a selection committee"; the comments come ahead of the third and final Test against England at Edgbaston, starting on Wednesday, 9 September.

Pakistan have dropped seven players and called up seven replacements, five of whom are uncapped, while head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and his assistant Umar Gul have been replaced by Pakistan white-ball coach Mike Hesson and former Australia seamer Ashley Noffke; the side were thrashed in the opening two Tests of the series.

Afridi, who was part of Pakistan's 2009 World Twenty20-winning side, posted multiple criticisms on social media, writing: "Not sure what is the logic or reasoning behind this decision!" and "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? This is the most shocking decision ever by a selection committee which includes so many experienced selectors."

Five of the players who have been dropped — Muhammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman and Khurram Shahzad — had featured in the series so far, while Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Jafar were sent home without playing.

The seven incoming players include two batters with prior Test experience, Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal; they join five uncapped newcomers named as Arafat Minhas, left-arm seamer Mohammed Imran Jr, wicketkeeper Said Baig and all-rounders Mohammad Imran and Razaullah.

Ex-Pakistan captain and former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I'm trying to convince myself this is all OK, but it is not. It just shows Pakistan cricket has hit a panic button."

Pakistan are scheduled to have an audience with King Charles at Clarence House this week in an engagement planned before the series began; the meeting is set to take place despite the series nearly ending early during the second Test when, at lunch on the first day, the PCB threatened to cancel the remainder of the match and tour because of an interview with the sons of Imran Khan that was broadcast by Sky. Imran Khan has been in prison for three years on charges of corruption, which he denies, and Pakistan ultimately completed the Test, with both captain Babar Azam and head coach Sarfaraz denying any knowledge of a planned boycott.

Pakistan travel to Edgbaston for the third and final Test against England, starting on Wednesday, 9 September, and will have their scheduled audience with King Charles at Clarence House this week as planned.