Asif Afridi goes on a rampage at 38 against South Africa to become Pakistan’s second-oldest Test debutant
Pakistan handed debut to Asif Afridi for the ongoing second Test against South Africa in Rawalpindi. Asif Afridi, a left-arm spinner, has now become the second-oldest player to debut for Pakistan in Test cricket.
The veteran spinner has been plying his trade in first-class cricket since 2009. So far, he has played 57 first-class matches and taken 198 wickets at an average of almost 25. A handy lower-order batsman, Asif Afridi has also scored over 1,600 runs in red-ball cricket, including one hundred and eight fifties. In white-ball cricket, he played 60 List A matches and 85 T20s.
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Asif Afridi becomes Pakistan’s second oldest debutant
As soon as Asif Afridi received his first Test cap from his young teammate Shaheen Afridi, he became the second oldest player to debut for Pakistan in the longest format of the game. Miran Bakhsh is still the oldest Test debutant for Pakistan in Tests.
Asif Afridi received his Test cap from Shaheen Shah Afridi pIc.twItter.com/7YesNfvDcIpr
– Junaiz (@dhillow_) Ohctober 20, 2025
Bakhsh played his first Test in 1955 at the age of 47 years and 284 days against India. On the other hand, Afridi made his debut at the age of 38 years and 299 days. The overall record is held by Englishman James Southerton, who made his Test debut aged 49 years and 119 days in 1877.
Oldest players making their Test debut (top 10):
| Player | Age | Team | Opposition | Match date |
| J Southerton | 49 years 119 days | England | in Australia | March 15, 1877 |
| Miran Bakhch | 47 years 284 days | Pakistan | in India | January 29, 1955 |
| DD Blackie | 46 years 253 days | Australia | against England | December 14, 1928 |
| H Hardware | 46 years 237 days | Australia | against England | November 30, 1928 |
| N Bétancourt | 42 years 242 days | West Indies | against England | February 1, 1930 |
| ER Wilson | 41 years 337 days | England | in Australia | February 25, 1921 |
| RJD Jamshedji | 41 years 27 days | India | against England | December 15, 1933 |
| CA Wiles | 40 years 345 days | West Indies | against England | July 22, 1933 |
| O Henry | 40 years 295 days | South Africa | in India | November 13, 1992 |
| SP Kinneir | 40 years 216 days | England | in Australia | December 15, 1911 |
Meanwhile, Pakistan made one change to their playing XI for the second Test against South Africa. Afridi replaced fast bowler Hasan Ali in the team. Hasan Ali faced the ax after failing to get any wickets in the first Test against the Proteas.
On the other hand, South Africa made two changes to their team composition. Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj were recalled to the starting XI, while Wiaan Mulder and Prenelan Subrayen were absent.
Playing XIs for the second test:
South Africa: Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (w), Senuran Muthusamy, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (w), Salman Agha, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Asif Afridi
