Key points
- Oldest debutant with five-wicket haul at 38
- Dismissed five South African batters in Rawalpindi
- Joins elite list of debut bowlers over 35
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Asif Afridi made history on Wednesday by breaking a 92-year-old record, claiming a five-wicket haul on his Test debut during day three of the second Test against South Africa at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Afridi surpassed England’s Charles Marriott, who had held the record since 1933 as the oldest player to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut.
The Pakistani spinner achieved the milestone at 38 years and 301 days, overtaking Marriott’s record of 37 years and 332 days.
Afridi’s outstanding spell saw him dismiss Tristan Stubbs, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne and Simon Harmer, marking a sensational beginning to his Test career.
Five-wicket haul
Only four players aged over 35 have ever taken a five-wicket haul on Test debut. Alongside Afridi and Marriott, the others are Hines Johnson of the West Indies, who accomplished the feat against England in 1948, and D.W. Carr of England, who did so against Australia in 1909.
Afridi remains the only player to achieve the record after the age of 38, while the other three did so after turning 37.
Among Pakistani bowlers, Noman Ali claimed five wickets on debut at 34 against South Africa in 2021, while Bilal Asif achieved the same feat at 33.
