Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has criticized the national team’s decision to make sweeping changes to their squad and coaching staff during the ongoing series against England, calling it the "most shocking decision ever by a selection committee."

In a dramatic move, Pakistan has dropped seven players, replacing them with five uncapped players. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant Umar Gul have also been replaced by white-ball coach Mike Hesson and former Australian seamer Ashley Noffke.

Pakistan, having suffered heavy defeats in the first two Tests, prepares for the third and final match at Edgbaston starting on Wednesday, 9 September. Afridi expressed his bewilderment on social media, questioning the logic behind including T20 players for a Test match and the timing of the coaching changes.

Key points from Afridi's comments include:

• Muhammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Ali Usman, and Khurram Shahzad were among those dropped after participating in the series.
• Aamir Jamal and Muhammad Awais Jafar returned home without playing.
• New additions include batters Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, along with uncapped players like spin-bowling all-rounder Arafat Minhas and left-arm seamer Mohammed Imran Jr.

Former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja echoed Afridi's sentiments on BBC Radio 5 Live, stating, "It just shows Pakistan cricket has hit a panic button."

Despite the turmoil, Pakistan is set to meet King Charles at Clarence House this week, a planned engagement overshadowed by recent controversies surrounding the series.