Asif Afridi makes memorable debut with five-wicket haul

Rawalpindi, 23 October 2025:

Left-arm spinner Asif Afridi marked his Test debut in style, becoming the 15th Pakistan bowler to take a five-wicket haul on debut. His feat came on the third day of the ongoing second Test against South Africa at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Asif’s figures also earned him a place in an elite list. He is only the second Pakistan player after Mohammad Zahid to claim five or more wickets on Test debut at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Zahid achieved the milestone against New Zealand in 1996 at the same venue.

Asif’s five wickets are also the second-best by a Pakistan bowler making his debut against South Africa, behind right-arm pacer Tanvir Ahmed’s effort in 2010.

At 38, Asif became the second-oldest Pakistan player to take a five-wicket haul in a Test innings. The oldest remains Noman Ali, who achieved the feat at 39 years and five days old during the first Test against South Africa in Lahore.

For Asif, the long-awaited debut turned into a dream performance, one that not only revived memories of Pakistan’s rich spin tradition but also added a new chapter to Rawalpindi’s Test history.