RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Asif Afridi etched his name into cricket’s record books on Wednesday by becoming the oldest cricketer to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut. The 38-year-old achieved the milestone at 38 years and 299 days during the second Test against South Africa at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Afridi surpassed a 92-year-old record held by England’s Charles Marriott, who had claimed five wickets on debut at 37 years and 332 days against the West Indies at The Oval in 1933.
Only four players aged above 35 have managed a five-wicket haul on debut in Test history. Apart from Afridi and Marriott, the rare list includes West Indies’ Hines Johnson, who achieved the feat against England in 1948, and England’s D.W. Carr, who did it against Australia in 1909. Afridi is the only player to have accomplished this milestone after turning 38, while the others did so after crossing 37.
Among Pakistani bowlers, Noman Ali previously took five wickets on debut at the age of 34 against South Africa in 2021, while Bilal Asif achieved the same at 33.
At the close of the third day, Pakistan were 94 for 4 in 35 overs, leading South Africa by 23 runs. Captain Babar Azam remained unbeaten on 49 off 83 balls, while Mohammad Rizwan was not out on 16 from 49 deliveries.
Earlier, South Africa’s lower order mounted a strong recovery through Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada. The visitors, once struggling at 235 for 8, fought back to post 404 and take a first-innings lead of 71 runs.
Afridi’s remarkable debut has become a story of perseverance and patience, marking a fitting reward for a seasoned campaigner who waited years for his chance on the biggest stage.
