However, his involvement in the pitch tampering scandal in 2005 was the most criticized. Another Pakistani all-rounder Shoaib Malik was involved in the case. Afridi’s team played against visiting England in Pakistan’s Faisalabad. Afridi was accused of pitch tampering on the second day of the match.

After 17 years, England went to play Test in Pakistan again. Afridi has now opened up about the incident of pitch tampering around the tour. He admitted that he himself was the one who planned and implemented the scandal of that day, and Shoaib Malik was the one who encouraged and motivated.

Shahid Afridi came to the program of Sama TV and recalled the incident and said, “The ball was not turning, nor was it swinging in that match in Faisalabad.” It looked very boring. We jumped with full force but could not take wickets. Then suddenly a gas cylinder exploded outside the field. When everyone is focused on that, I told the owner, I want to put it on the pitch, then the ball will turn.

Shoaib Malik became more enthusiastic after hearing this. He agreed with Afridi and said that he has done the job now. Afridi smiled and said, ‘Malik said, he did it. No one will see now. Then I did that (tampering). After that, history.

Afridi was banned for three matches after being caught in history. After that, Afridi could not get on the field to play one Test and two ODIs.
However, Afridi regretted the incident. He said, ‘Now when I look back, I understand that I made a mistake that day.’
That match in Faisalabad was a draw. Pakistan scored 462 in the first innings and 268 for 9 in the second innings. After England scored 446 in the first innings, the fifth day’s play ended when England scored 164 for 6 in the second innings.
Afridi scored 92 runs off 85 balls in the first innings. Golden Duck hit in the second innings.