Spinner Asif Afridi has become the oldest cricketer to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut | The Express Tribune
He delivered a remarkable performance against South Africa at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in the second Test Asif Afridi, 38, picked up his maiden Test wicket in the form of Tony de Zorzi. Photo: AFP ISLAMABAD: Pakistani spinner Asif Afridi has become the oldest cricketer to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut in the second…
He delivered a remarkable performance against South Africa at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in the second Test
Asif Afridi, 38, picked up his maiden Test wicket in the form of Tony de Zorzi. Photo: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistani spinner Asif Afridi has become the oldest cricketer to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut in the second Test of the two-match series against South Africa, at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Afridi delivered a remarkable performance on his Test debut against South Africa at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, claiming six wickets in the first innings to firmly establish Pakistan’s control in the match.
He broke the 92-year-old record by Charles Marriott (37y 332d), who attained a similar feat way back in 1933.
At 38, 301 days year old, the debut heroics have earned him a place among a revered group of Pakistani bowlers who have made a memorable entry into Test cricket with five-wicket hauls.
His performance continues a proud tradition that dates back over six decades.
The trend began in 1964, when Arif Butt became the first Pakistani to achieve the feat, taking six wickets against Australia in Melbourne.
Five years later, in 1969, Mohammad Nazir stunned New Zealand with a seven-wicket haul in Karachi.
The 1990s saw a resurgence of promising talent. In 1996, Shahid Nazir claimed five wickets against Zimbabwe in Sheikhupura, while Mohammad Zahid impressed with a devastating seven-wicket haul against New Zealand in Rawalpindi.
In 1998, Shahid Afridi showcased his all-round prowess by taking five wickets against Australia in Karachi.The early 2000s continued the tradition.
Mohammad Sami took five wickets in Auckland against New Zealand in 2001, and Shabbir Ahmed followed suit with a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh in Karachi in 2003. In 2007, Yasir Arafat claimed five wickets against India in Bengaluru.
The year 2010 saw two debut performances of note: Wahab Riaz picked up five wickets against England at The Oval, while Tanvir Ahmed took six wickets against South Africa in Abu Dhabi.
More recently, Bilal Asif claimed six wickets against Australia in Dubai in 2018, Nauman Ali took five against South Africa in Karachi in 2021, and Abrar Ahmed bagged seven wickets against England in Multan in 2022.
In 2023, Aamir Jamal impressed with a six-wicket haul in his debut Test against Australia in Perth.
Now, in 2025, Afridi has etched his name into the annals of Pakistan cricket history, reinforcing the country’s legacy of producing world-class bowlers capable of making an immediate impact at the highest level.
