Asif Afridi is set to make his international debut for Pakistan in the second Test against South Africa in Lahore on Monday. The 38-year-old left-arm spinner was included in Pakistan’s 18-member squad for the home series, marking the beginning of their World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 campaign.
Asif’s journey to this stage has been long and full of challenges. He has spent more than a decade proving himself in Pakistan’s domestic circuit since making his first-class debut for Abbottabad in 2009. Over the years, he became a consistent wicket-taker and a handy lower-order batter, building his reputation as a reliable bowling all-rounder.
In 57 first-class matches, Asif has taken 198 wickets at an impressive average of 25.49. His record includes 13 five-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket match hauls. In the last Quaid-e-Azam Trophy season, he took nine wickets in four games, averaging 21.44. He continued his fine form in the President’s Trophy Grade-1, claiming 18 wickets in six matches at 25.16.
Asif’s success extends beyond red-ball cricket. He has played 60 List A and 85 T20 games, collecting 83 and 78 wickets respectively. He made his Pakistan Super League (PSL) debut in 2022 for Multan Sultans, taking eight wickets in five games. In PSL 2025, playing for Lahore Qalandars, he took seven wickets in nine games with an economy rate of 7.41.
His performances earned him a maiden international call-up for the white-ball series against Australia in 2022. But later that year, the PCB handed him a two-year ban for not reporting a corrupt approach. The suspension was reduced to one year after he cooperated with the investigation.
Pakistan’s recent struggles at home in Test cricket also created an opportunity for Asif. Defeats against Bangladesh and England led to a change in strategy under captain Shan Masood. Pakistan prepared spin-friendly pitches in Lahore and Rawalpindi, where 29 of 31 wickets fell to spinners, helping them win back-to-back Tests.
In the last Test against South Africa, spin once again dominated. Thirty wickets fell to spin, and Pakistan sealed a 93-run win. Noman Ali took 10 wickets and was named Player of the Match.
With spin playing a key role in Pakistan’s plans, Asif Afridi has earned his long-awaited debut. He joins a strong spin attack featuring Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, and all-rounder Salman Agha.
