Asif Afridi celebrates together with his teammates after taking a wicket through the third day of the second Check cricket match between Pakistan and South Africa on the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on October 22, 2025. — AFP
RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Asif Afridi acquired his title registered into cricket historical past on Wednesday, changing into the oldest participant ever to take a five-wicket haul on Check debut, attaining the feat at 38 years and 299 days through the second Check in opposition to South Africa in Rawalpindi.
Afridi broke a 92-year-old document held by England’s Charles Marriott, who took 5 wickets on debut at 37 years and 332 days in opposition to the West Indies at The Oval in 1933.
Solely 4 gamers aged over 35 have claimed a five-wicket haul on debut in Check historical past. Other than Afridi and Marriott, the 2 others on the record are Hines Johnson of the West Indies, who did so in opposition to England in 1948, and D.W. Carr of England, who achieved the milestone in opposition to Australia in 1909.
Afridi is the one participant to realize the feat after turning 38, whereas the opposite three did it after crossing 37. Amongst Pakistani bowlers, Noman Ali had beforehand taken 5 wickets on debut on the age of 34 in opposition to South Africa in 2021. Bilal Asif achieved the feat on the age of 33.
Pakistan ended day three of the second Check at 94/4 in 35 overs, holding a lead of 23 runs.
The hosts will resume their batting on day 4 with Babar Azam on 49 off 83 balls and Mohammad Rizwan on 16 off 49.
Earlier, South Africa’s decrease order fought again strongly, with Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, and Kagiso Rabada main a spirited restoration.
At one stage, the guests had been 235-8, however the trio helped South Africa attain 404, taking the first-innings lead of 71 runs.
