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 had deliberately damaged the pitch in an attempt to help Pakistan’s spin bowlers during the second Test against England in Faisalabad in 2005.
The incident occurred during the break when a gas cylinder exploded outside the stadium, halting the match for about nine minutes. While players and fans of both teams were distracted by the gas cylinder explosion, Afridi took full advantage of the situation to help the Pakistan team. Meanwhile, Mehdi Hasan opened up on Bangladesh not playing in the T20 World Cup 2026.
Shahid Afridi finally reveals the truth behind 2005 pitch tampering
Shahid Afridi revealed that the pitch at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad was extremely flat and the bowlers were getting nothing. Pakistan’s spinners were finding it difficult to get any turn or extra bounce and the team was struggling to trouble the England batsmen.
Hence, the former Pakistan all-rounder decided to take advantage of the interruption. Afridi walked towards the pitch and used his boots to rub the area of good length, in the hope of creating a rough patch that would help the spinners later in that Test match against England.
He also revealed that then Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik had encouraged him to make changes to the pitch to gain an unfair advantage in the match against England in Faisalabad. Meanwhile, Abdullah Shafiq is set to return to Pakistan amid the West Indies Test.
ICC caught Shahid Afridi red handed!
However, Afridi could not 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). ICC took strict action against the legendary all-rounder.
Match referee Roshan Mahanama banned the former Pakistan player for one Test and suspended him for two One Day Internationals as punishment for damaging the pitch. Afridi has now openly admitted his role in the incident, which has revived memories of the controversy.
Shahid Afridi said on 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 could neither turn nor 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 are you doing with the pitch? I said, “Boss, leave it to me.” He had to say it and I did my job.
Afridi says Malik asked him to harden the pitch in Faisalabad in 2005 pic.twitter.com/lz6nXxpXIn
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Kewam Hodge’s innings of 83 runs has put Pakistan under pressure on the rain-affected first day.
Meanwhile, West Indies ended the first day of the first Test against Pakistan in a strong position, reaching 194/3 at stumps, despite a shortened period of play due to rain and bad light at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad. Only 67 overs were possible on the first day.
Kavem Hodge led the fight with an unbeaten 83, while Shai Hope remained unbeaten on 39. Both of them made an unbeaten 88-run partnership for the fourth wicket to frustrate Pakistan’s bowlers. Pakistan is playing under the leadership of Babar Azam, who has returned as Test captain after the departure of Shan Masood. They missed injured opener Abdullah Fazal, while Imam-ul-Haq has returned to the eleven. Both teams started the series at the bottom of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 table.