Pakistan spinner Asif Afridi scripted history on Wednesday during the second Test against South Africa in Rawalpindi. At 38 years and 301 days, Afridi became the oldest bowler to claim a five-wicket haul on Test debut, surpassing a record that had stood for 92 years.
The left-arm spinner etched his name in the record books when he trapped Simon Harmer leg-before for 10. That wicket pushed South Africa down to 210 for seven as they chased Pakistan’s first-innings total of 333.
Afridi’s effort eclipsed the mark held by England’s Charles Marriott, who bagged two five-wicket hauls on debut against the West Indies at The Oval in 1933. Marriott was 37 years and 334 days old at the time.
Afridi also went past Noman Ali’s national record. Noman had picked 5/35 on debut against the same opposition in 2021.
The overall record for the oldest bowler to secure a five-wicket haul in Test history still belongs to Australia’s Bert Ironmonger. At 49 years and 311 days, he took 6 for 18 against South Africa in Melbourne in 1932.
Oldest Bowlers to Take Five Wickets on Test Debut
| Player | Team | Age | Opponent | Venue | Year |
| Bert Ironmonger | Australia | 49 years, 311 days | South Africa | Melbourne | 1932 |
| Don Blackie | Australia | 46 years, 268 days | England | Melbourne | 1928 |
| John Traicos | Zimbabwe | 45 years, 154 days | India | Harare | 1992 |
| Clarrie Grimmett | Australia | 44 years, 65 days | South Africa | Durban | 1936 |
| Frank Woolley | England | 42 years, 242 days | New Zealand | Wellington | 1930 |
From Ban to a Record-Breaking Debut
Afridi’s journey to this moment has been unconventional. His selection by the PCB drew attention because of a past spot-fixing ban in domestic cricket. Initially banned for two years, he returned after serving just over a year of the suspension. The PCB did not provide an official explanation for the early return.
This was Afridi’s first appearance at the international level. His first-class career began in January 2009, and since then he has taken 198 wickets in 57 matches. He also picked up 83 wickets in 60 List A games and 78 wickets in 85 T20 matches.
Afridi’s remarkable performance on debut adds another historic moment to Pakistan’s Test cricket legacy.
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