Pakistan’s Asif Afridi breaks 92-year-old record with debut five-for

Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Asif Afridi etched his name in cricket history on Wednesday, becoming the oldest cricketer to claim a five-wicket haul on Test debut.

The 38-year-old achieved the feat during the second Test against South Africa at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

At 38 years and 299 days, Afridi surpassed the 92-year-old record held by England’s Charles Marriott, who took five wickets on debut at 37 years and 332 days against the West Indies in 1933.

Afridi’s achievement places him among only four players aged over 35 to have taken a five-wicket haul on Test debut. The others include Marriott, Hines Johnson of the West Indies (1948), and D.W. Carr of England (1909). Afridi is also the only player to accomplish the milestone after turning 38.

Among Pakistani bowlers, Noman Ali and Bilal Asif previously took five wickets on debut at ages 34 and 33 respectively.

Earlier in the day, South Africa’s lower order mounted a strong resistance, led by Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, and Kagiso Rabada, as the visitors recovered from 235-8 to post 404, gaining a first-innings lead of 71 runs