Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has made a shocking revelation about one of the most controversial moments of his international career. More than two decades after the incident, Shahid Afridi admitted that he deliberately damaged the pitch during the second Test against England in Faisalabad in 2005 in an attempt to help Pakistan's spin bowlers.
The incident happened during a break after a gas cylinder exploded outside the stadium, forcing the match to stop for around nine minutes. While players from both teams and fans were distracted by the gas cylinder explosion, Afridi made the most of the situation to help the Pakistan team. Amid this, Mehidy Hasan opens up on Bangladesh missing T20 World Cup 2026.
Shahid Afridi revealed that the pitch at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad was extremely flat and was offering nothing to the bowlers. Pakistan spinners were finding it difficult to get any turn or extra bounce, and the team was struggling to trouble the England batters.
So, the former Pakistan all-rounder decided to take advantage of the interruption. Afridi walked towards the pitch and used his boots to scuff a good-length area, hoping to create rough patches that would later help the spinners in that Test match against England.
He also revealed that then-Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik encouraged him to alter the pitch to get an unfair advantage in the match against England in Faisalabad. Amid this, Abdullah Shafique set for Pakistan comeback amid West Indies Tests.
ICC caught Shahid Afridi red-handed!
However, Afridi couldn’t escape punishment. Match officials later found evidence that the pitch had been tampered with, and the matter was reported to the International Cricket Council (ICC). The ICC took strict action against the legendary all-rounder.
Match referee Roshan Mahanama handed the former Pakistan player a one-Test ban and suspended him for two One-Day Internationals as punishment for damaging the pitch. Afridi has now openly admitted his role in the incident, bringing back memories of the controversy.
Shahid Afridi said on the Fawad Alam Podcast, “Yes. It was in Faisalabad, and Shoaib Malik was the captain. So, the pitch was so flat. The pitch was so flat that it couldn't turn or skid. I was fed up. So, I told Shoaib Malik that the pitch was so flat that everyone's attention went there. So, I came towards the pitch. So, Shoaib asked me, “What will you do with the pitch?” I said, “Boss, leave it to me”. He had to say it, and I did my job.”
Afridi says Malik told him to temper the pitch in Faisalabad 2005 ? pic.twitter.com/lz6nXxpXIn
— Ghumman (@emclub77) July 25, 2026Kavem Hodge's gritty 83 puts Pakistan under pressure on rain-hit Day 1
Meanwhile, West Indies ended Day 1 of the first Test against Pakistan in a strong position, reaching 194/3 at stumps despite rain and bad light cutting short play at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad. Only 67 overs were possible on the opening day.
Kavem Hodge led the fight with an unbeaten 83, while Shai Hope remained not out on 39. The duo shared an unbeaten 88-run partnership for the fourth wicket to frustrate Pakistan's bowlers. Pakistan are playing under Babar Azam, who returned as Test captain after Shan Masood's removal. They missed injured opener Abdullah Fazal, with Imam-ul-Haq returning to the XI. Both teams started the series at the bottom of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 table.
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