A Veteran’s Entry into the International Arena
In a landmark moment for Pakistan cricket, left-arm spinner Asif Afridi was handed his long-awaited Test debut during the second match of the series against South Africa at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. At 38 years and 299 days, Afridi became the second oldest cricketer to debut for Pakistan in Test cricket, a testament to his perseverance and domestic excellence.
Team Selection: Experience Over Youth
Afridi was chosen ahead of the more established Abrar Ahmed, forming a three-pronged spin attack alongside Noman Ali, another left-arm spinner, and off-spinner Sajid Khan. The decision to include the seasoned campaigner came as Pakistan aimed to seal the series, having already taken a 1-0 lead with a 93-run victory in the opening Test.
A Long-Awaited Reward for Domestic Consistency
Asif Afridi’s selection reflects his consistent performances in domestic cricket. With 198 wickets in 57 first-class matches, he has been a standout performer over the years. His debut was made more special when fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi presented him with the prestigious Test cap. The toss was won by Pakistan captain Shan Masood, who chose to bat first on a surface expected to favor spinners later in the match.
Is Asif Afridi the Oldest Test Debutant for Pakistan?
Historical Context and Comparison
Although Asif Afridi’s debut at nearly 39 is noteworthy, he is not the oldest Test debutant in Pakistan’s history. That honor goes to Miran Bakhsh, who was 47 years and 284 days old when he played his first Test against India in Lahore in 1955.
Amir Elahi’s Unique Case
Interestingly, while official records place Afridi second on the list, a deeper dive into cricket history reveals that Amir Elahi was actually older when he debuted for Pakistan. Elahi, a rare cricketer who played Test matches for both India and Pakistan, was 44 years and 45 days old when he made his Pakistan debut against India in Delhi in 1952. Prior to that, he had played for India against Australia in Sydney in 1947, before opting to settle in Pakistan post-Partition.
Why Was Asif Afridi Previously Banned by the PCB?
Afridi’s journey to the national team was not without obstacles. He was previously handed a ban by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) due to a breach of anti-corruption protocols. The spinner failed to report an approach related to corrupt conduct during a domestic competition. However, after serving his suspension and cooperating with PCB investigations, he was allowed to resume playing and worked his way back into contention through outstanding performances at the domestic level.
