Asif Afridi becomes Pakistan’s 260th Test cricketer with debut against South Africa

Rawalpindi, 20 October 2025:

It was a moment 39 years in the making for Asif Afridi. The left-arm spinner from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa became Pakistan’s 260^th Test cricketer when he made his long-awaited debut against South Africa at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.

Asif, who received his Test cap from Shaheen Shah Afridi, his teammate and captain at Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League, walked onto the field to a warm reception from his teammates and the crowd. The debut also marked a rare achievement in Pakistan’s cricket history: Asif is now the second-oldest player to make a Test debut for the country, after Miran Bakhsh, who debuted against India in Lahore in 1955 at the age of 47.

Before earning the green cap, Asif built an impressive domestic career. Over 57 first-class matches, he claimed 198 wickets, including 13 five-wicket hauls and two match hauls of 10 wickets. His consistency and control made him a mainstay in domestic cricket, while his resilience and determination have now been rewarded at the highest level.

Asif also carries a reputation as a capable lower-order batter, with a first-class century to his name, a testament to his all-round value.

His journey from the fields of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is a story of patience and persistence. As Pakistan began the Test against South Africa, Asif’s debut added a touching chapter to Pakistan’s rich cricketing narrative.