38 Years And 299 Days! Asif Afridi Becomes 3rd Oldest Cricketer To Make Test Debut For Pakistan
Last Updated:October 20, 2025, 11:08 IST
Asif Afridi, who replaced Hasan Ali in Pakistan’s playing XI for the Rawalpindi Test against South Africa, has played 57 first-class matches so far & has 198 wickets to his credit.
Asif Afridi becomes 3rd oldest Test debutant for Pakistan. (Picture Credit: X)
Left-arm spinner Asif Afridi is making his Test debut for Pakistan in the ongoing second red-ball match against the South African team at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The 38-year-and-299-day-old cricketer from Peshawar, who has played 57 first-class matches so far, in which he has picked up 198 wickets, including 13 five-wicket hauls in 95 innings, received his maiden Test cap from Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Asif Afridi replaced pacer Hasan Ali in Pakistan’s playing XI for the second match of the home series against the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) winners.
By getting a chance to play his first Test at the age of 38 years and 299 days, Asif Afridi on Monday (October 20) became the third oldest player to make a Test debut for Pakistan.
The oldest player to make a Test debut for Pakistan is Miran Bakhsh. Miran Bakhsh was 47 years and 284 days old when he played his first red-ball match for the Pakistani team against India in Lahore on January 29, 1955.
Amir Elahi made his Pakistan debut at 44 years and 45 days against India in Delhi on October 16, 1952, five years after his Test debut for India against Australia in Sydney on December 12, 1947.
Oldest players to make Test debut for Pakistan
PLAYERAGEAGAINSTVENUESTART DATEMiran Bakhsh47 years, 284 daysIndiaLahoreJanuary 29, 1955Amir Elahi44 years, 45 daysIndiaDelhiOctober 16, 1952Asif Afridi38 years, 299 daysSouth AfricaRawalpindiOctober 20, 2025Tabish Khan36 years, 146 daysZimbabweHarareMay 7, 2021Gul Mohammad34 years, 362 daysAustraliaKarachiOctober 11, 1956
He is overall the second oldest player to make a Test debut.
The record of being the oldest player to make a Test debut is in the name of James Southerton. Southerton was 49 years and 119 days old when he played his first Test for England against Australia in Melbourne on March 15, 1877.
10 oldest Test debutants
PLAYERTEAMAGEAGAINSTVENUEDATEJames SouthertonEngland49 years, 119 daysAustraliaMelbourneMarch 15, 1877Miran BakhshPakistan47 years, 284 daysIndiaLahoreJanuary 29, 1955Don BlackieAustralia46 years, 253 daysEnglandSydneyDecember 14, 1928Bert IronmongerAustralia46 years, 237 daysEnglandBrisbaneNovember 30, 1928Nelson BetancourtWest Indies42 years, 242 daysEnglandPort of SpainFebruary 1, 1930Rockley WilsonEngland41 years, 337 daysAustraliaSydneyFebruary 25, 1921Rustomji JamshedjiIndia41 years, 27 daysEnglandMumbaiDecember 15, 1933Archie WilesWest Indies40 years, 345 daysEnglandManchesterJuly 22, 1933Omar HenrySouth Africa40 years, 295 daysIndiaDurbanNovember 13, 1992Sep KinneirEngland40 years, 216 daysAustraliaSydneyDecember 15, 1911
In the 21st century, the oldest player to make a Test debut is Ed Joyce. Joyce was 39 years and 231 days old when he played his first Test for Ireland against Pakistan in Dublin (Malahide) on May 11, 2018.
Oldest players to make Test debut in 21st century (since January 1, 2000)
PLAYERTEAMAGEAGAINSTVENUEDATEEd JoyceIreland39 years, 231 daysPakistanDublin (Malahide)May 11, 2018Asif AfridiPakistan38 years, 299 daysSouth AfricaRawalpindiOctober 20, 2025Shaun von BergSouth Africa37 years, 150 daysNew ZealandHamiltonFebruary 13, 2024Bryce McGainAustralia36 years, 359 daysSouth AfricaCape TownMarch 19, 2009Tim MurtaghIreland36 years, 282 daysPakistanDublin (Malahide)May 11, 2018Shaun UdalEngland36 years, 239 daysPakistanMultanNovember 12, 2005Niall O’BrienIreland36 years, 184 daysPakistanDublin (Malahide)May 11, 2018Tabish KhanPakistan36 years, 146 daysZimbabweHarareMay 7, 2021
Pakistan’s playing XI for 2nd Test against South Africa: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood (C), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Salman Agha, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Asif Afridi
Location :
Rawalpindi, Pakistan
First Published:
October 20, 2025, 10:58 IST
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