Asif Afridi unleashed at 38 vs South Africa, becomes Pakistan’s second-oldest Test debutant
Published - 20 Oct 2025, 11:28 AM | Updated - 20 Oct 2025, 11:29 AM
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Pakistan have handed a debut to Asif Afridi for the ongoing second Test against South Africa in Rawalpindi. A left-arm spinner, Asif Afridi, 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 has taken 198 wickets at an average of close to 25. A handy lower-order batter, Asif Afridi has also scored over 1600 runs in red-ball cricket, including a hundred and eight fifties. In white-ball cricket, he has played 60 List A games and 85 T20s.
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Asif Afridi becomes the second-oldest debutant for Pakistan
As soon as Asif Afridi received his maiden Test cap from his younger teammate Shaheen Afridi, he became the second-oldest player to make his 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/7yNfvDcIpr
— junaiz (@dhillow_) October 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 England's James Southerton, who made his Test debut at the age of 49 years and 119 days in 1877.
Oldest players on debut in Tests (top 10):
| Player | Age | Team | Opposition | Match Date |
| J Southerton | 49y 119d | England | v Australia | 15 Mar 1877 |
| Miran Bakhsh | 47y 284d | Pakistan | v India | 29 Jan 1955 |
| DD Blackie | 46y 253d | Australia | v England | 14 Dec 1928 |
| H Ironmonger | 46y 237d | Australia | v England | 30 Nov 1928 |
| N Betancourt | 42y 242d | West Indies | v England | 1 Feb 1930 |
| ER Wilson | 41y 337d | England | v Australia | 25 Feb 1921 |
| RJD Jamshedji | 41y 27d | India | v England | 15 Dec 1933 |
| CA Wiles | 40y 345d | West Indies | v England | 22 Jul 1933 |
| O Henry | 40y 295d | South Africa | v India | 13 Nov 1992 |
| SP Kinneir | 40y 216d | England | v Australia | 15 Dec 1911 |
Meanwhile, Pakistan have made one change to their playing eleven for the second Test against South Africa. Afridi has replaced fast bowler Hasan Ali in the team. Hasan Ali faced the axe after failing to get any wickets in the first Test against the Proteas.
On the other hand, South Africa have made two changes to their team combination. Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj have been recalled to the playing eleven, while Wiaan Mulder and Prenelan Subrayen have missed out.
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
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