Asif Afridi has made a stunning entry into international cricket, becoming the oldest Pakistani to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut. The 38-year-old left-arm off-spinner achieved the feat during the ongoing Rawalpindi Test against South Africa.
Afridi received his debut cap at the age of 38 years and 299 days, making him the second-oldest player to debut for Pakistan in Test cricket. Despite the late start, he delivered a record-breaking performance by taking 5 wickets for 61 runs in 30 overs in South Africa’s first innings.
He dismissed key batters Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi, both of whom had settled well at the crease with scores of 76 and 55 respectively. Both fell leg-before to Afridi. He then went on to claim the wickets of Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne and Simon Harmer, completing his five-wicket haul before the lunch break on the third day.
By doing so, Afridi broke a 92-year-old record held by England’s Charles Marriott. Known as “Father Marriott”, he had taken 5 wickets for 37 runs against the West Indies at The Oval in 1933 at the age of 37 years and 332 days. Afridi has now surpassed him as the oldest player to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut.
Prior to Afridi, the record for Pakistan’s oldest debutant to take a five-for belonged to Nauman Ali, who achieved the milestone at 34 years and 111 days against the same opponents in the 2020–21 series in Karachi.
Among fast bowlers, England’s Hines Johnson holds the record for being the oldest to take five wickets on debut, but Afridi’s achievement as a spinner makes this a unique and historic moment for Pakistan cricket.
