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New Delhi: Pakistan handed a Test cap to 39-year-old spinner Asif Afridi in their second Test match against South Africa that began in Rawapindi on Monday.
Afridi was picked over another experienced spinner Abrar Ahmed in a spin bowling attack comprising regulars southpaw Noman Ali and off-spinner Sajid Khan.
Afridi was banned for a year for spot fixing in Pakistan's domestic cricket and was allowed to returned to the field only after serving a six-month suspension.
The Pakistan Cricket Board, however, is yet to offer an explanation over relaxation of his punishment.
Pakistan opted for two left-arm spinners in their playing XI and only one fat bowler in Shaheen Shah Afridi. Asif will pair up with Noman Ali, who took a 10-wicket haul in Pakistan's 94-run win in the first Test in Lahore.
South Africa are bolstered by the return of left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who was absent from the first Test for fitness issues.
The visiting team included left-arm pacer Marco Jansen, in their playing team and left out Wiaan Mulder and Prenelan Subrayen.
Hailing from Peshawar, left-arm orthodox spinner Asif finally got his long-awaited chance, becoming Pakistan’s second-oldest debutant in Tests after Miran Bakhsh, who made his debut at 47 years and 284 days in 1955 against India.
Asif, who received his Test cap from Shaheen, replaced pacer Hasan Ali in the squad. He made his first-class debut in 2009 and went into a hiatus after playing in only a handful of matches.
In 2015, he returned to the circuit and took 198 wickets in 57 first-class matches at an average of 25.49 with an economy rate of 2.92.
It earned him a Pakistan Super League (PSL) contract with Multan Sultans for the 2021-22 season, playing in five matches. In 2025 PSL, he played for Lahore Qalandars.
