Asif Afridi To Make Test Debut For Pakistan At The Age of 39
Left-arm spinner Asif Afridi is expected to make his Test debut for Pakistan in the opening match of the two-Test series against South Africa, starting October 12 at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
The match will also mark the beginning of Pakistan’s ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 campaign. Ahead of the series, captains Shan Masood and Aiden Markram jointly unveiled the Test series trophy at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.
Under Shan Masood’s leadership, Pakistan are likely to field a lineup consisting of seven batters, two pacers, and two spinners. With Sajid Khan ruled out due to viral fever, Asif Afridi is expected to step in as his replacement and make his maiden appearance in Test cricket.
The 38-year-old spinner has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket, picking up 198 wickets in 57 first-class matches at an average of 25.49. He will be joined in the spin department by Nauman Ali, the 39-year-old left-armer who has 83 wickets in 19 Tests at an impressive average of 24.75.
In the fast-bowling ranks, Shaheen Shah Afridi is set to make his long-awaited return to Test cricket after a year on the sidelines. The left-arm quick has 116 wickets in 31 Tests and is expected to open the attack alongside Hasan Ali, who has 80 wickets in 24 Tests and last featured against Australia in Sydney in January 2024.
Imam-ul-Haq is also likely to return to the Test XI after missing the format since December 2023.
South Africa’s ongoing tour of Pakistan includes matches across all formats. The second Test will take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 20 to 24.
Pakistan’s probable XI for the first Test:
Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Nauman Ali, Asif Afridi.
