Asif Afridi Becomes Third Oldest to Make Test Debut for Pakistan
Left-arm spinner Asif Afridi has made his long-awaited Test debut at the age of 38 years and 299 days, featuring in the second Test against South Africa at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The Peshawar-born bowler, who replaced Hasan Ali in the playing XI, received his maiden Test cap from Shaheen Shah Afridi ahead of the match.
With 57 first-class appearances and 198 wickets, including 13 five-wicket hauls, Asif brings valuable domestic experience into Pakistan’s Test setup.
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His debut makes him the third oldest cricketer ever to represent Pakistan in red-ball cricket, joining a rare list of players who broke into the format late in their careers.
Oldest Players to Make Test Debut for Pakistan
| Player | Age at Debut | Opponent | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miran Bakhsh | 47 years, 284 days | India | Lahore | January 29, 1955 |
| Amir Elahi | 44 years, 45 days | India | Delhi | October 16, 1952 |
| Asif Afridi | 38 years, 299 days | South Africa | Rawalpindi | October 20, 2025 |
| Tabish Khan | 36 years, 146 days | Zimbabwe | Harare | May 7, 2021 |
| Gul Mohammad | 34 years, 362 days | Australia | Karachi | October 11, 1956 |
Globally, the oldest player to debut in Test cricket remains James Southerton, who represented England at the age of 49 years and 119 days against Australia in 1877.
In the modern era, Afridi’s debut stands out among late Test entrants, such as Ed Joyce of Ireland and Shaun von Berg of South Africa, who also made their first appearances in their late thirties.
Oldest Test Debutants in Cricket History
| Player | Team | Age at Debut | Opponent | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Southerton | England | 49 years, 119 days | Australia | Melbourne | March 15, 1877 |
| Miran Bakhsh | Pakistan | 47 years, 284 days | India | Lahore | January 29, 1955 |
| Don Blackie | Australia | 46 years, 253 days | England | Sydney | December 14, 1928 |
| Bert Ironmonger | Australia | 46 years, 237 days | England | Brisbane | November 30, 1928 |
| Nelson Betancourt | West Indies | 42 years, 242 days | England | Port of Spain | February 1, 1930 |
| Rustomji Jamshedji | India | 41 years, 27 days | England | Mumbai | December 15, 1933 |
| Asif Afridi | Pakistan | 38 years, 299 days | South Africa | Rawalpindi | October 20, 2025 |
