38-Year-Old Spinner, Once Banned For Spot-Fixing, Becomes Second-Oldest Pakistan Test Debutant

File image of Asif Afridi© AFP

Rawalpindi:

Pakistan have handed a Test cap to 38-year-old left-arm spinner Asif Afridi, who has served a six-month ban for spot-fixing, in the second match against South Africa, which began Monday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Afridi has been preferred over the seasoned Abrar Ahmed to partner Pakistan’s regular spinners, southpaw Noman Ali and off-spinner, Sajid Khan. Afridi was handed a one-year ban for his involvement in spot fixing in domestic cricket and served six months before being allowed back by the Pakistan Cricket Board, which has however not given any reason for relaxing the ban on him.

At the age of 38 years and 299 days, Asif becomes the second-oldest player to debut for Pakistan in Test cricket, trailing only Miran Baksh, who debuted against India at the age of 47 in 1955.

Afridi’s selection means that the team management has opted to play two left- arm spinners in the second Test as he will pair with Noman Ali, who is already established and also picked up a 10-wicket haul in Pakistan’s 94-run win in the first game in Lahore.

Pakistan are only playing one fast bowler in Shaheen Shah Afridi.

South Africa have also been boosted by the return of left-arm spinner, Keshav Maharaj, who missed the first Test due to fitness issues.

The visitors, after losing the first Test, have also opted to play tall left-arm pacer, Marco Jansen, while leaving out Wiaan Mulder and Prenelan Subrayen. 

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