Test debut at 38 - How effective will Asif Afridi prove for Pakistan?

[Ball Blazer]

Debutant Asif Afridi is all set to feature in his first-ever Test match as Pakistan are all set to face off against South Africa in the second Test match at Rawalpindi Stadium.

He has replaced Hasan Ali in the playing XI as the visitors have made only one change for the series decider.

He recieved his debut cap from Shaheen Shah Afridi and was appreciated by fellow players and coaches.

At 38 years and 299 days, Asif Afridi becomes the second-oldest Test debutant for Pakistan (third if you include Amir Elahi, who first played for India).


Let's see how Asif will impress - all eyes on his performance now.

 

[Ball Blazer]

@Bewal Express @sweep_shot @mominsaigol
@Rana expectations?

 

[mominsaigol]

@Bewal Express @sweep_shot @mominsaigol
@Rana expectations?

Don't really care much about a 38 year old tbh.

 

[jamie smith fan]

Bad decision to select him in the first place.

 

[Ball Blazer]

At 38 years and 299 days, Asif Afridi becomes the second-oldest Test debutant for Pakistan (third if you include Amir Elahi, who first played for India).

 

[Ball Blazer]

Debutant Asif Afridi is all set to feature in his first-ever Test match as Pakistan are all set to face off against South Africa in the second Test match at Rawalpindi Stadium.

He has replaced Hasan Ali in the playing XI as the visitors have made only one change for the series decider.

He recieved his debut cap from Shaheen Shah Afridi and was appreciated by fellow players and coaches.

Let's see how Asif will impress - all eyes on his performance now.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1980131856512176321

 

[Muhammad Saad]

Tells you about the death of Pak cricket and nothing else.

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Tells you about the death of Pak cricket and nothing else.

Nah tells about how you are giving respect to your domestic performer he will make an impact with lots of grinding in domestic cricket.

 

[Kianig89]

Whos the Godfather for him? would like to know what message are we sending to all youngsta out there ? you have to wait till 38+ for debut

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Happy for him at a personal level but it's not a good look for our cricket.

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

Wowser. Best of luck to him.

However his profile picture suggests 40s for sure

 

[NishanKonar]

Bro looks 45 years old

 

[pillionrider]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1980135549966188650

It might not make any sense from the team POV, but seems like a nice little personal gift for an individual. Nice speech from Shaheen explaining how long this guy has been grinding.

Did Salman Agha touch his feet there? Didn't know Pakistanis followed this custom. Is it rare or actually common to bow down or touch the feet of people you respect?

 

[amvbfm]

He is a good bowler and deserved to play a few years back, probably in T20s. But at this point, and after his scandal, its not exactly the best decision. On this strip he will probably do well but Pakistan should have looked to the future and picked one of the younger spinners in Abrar or Faisal or a spinning allrounder in Mubasir or Minhas. If in some way this is a farewell or reward for his toil then it should have come in T20s. In any case it is unlikely he will play another season regardless of performance.

 

[Mirpuri Don]

I get the negativity but I feel it might be also seen as a reward for those grinding in domestic cricket for years (I think Asif made his first class debut in 2009), "keep performing you’ll get your chance one day" kind of messaging that would show that domestic cricket is taken seriously, never seen him bowl but from the stats he’s a bowling all rounder who got good returns in the last 4/5 years and is also handy with the bat (couple of 50s), so good luck.

 

[HaiderAmmar]

If Hasan Ali can get so many chances along with so many other non-deserving players, what is then wrong in playing a deserving but an older player?

 

[Energy]

Horses for courses. If Asif can help Pakistan win the current test that's fine.

 

[Omer2002]

Surely abrar had to play a bit of mystery

 

[DeadlyVenom]

If Hasan Ali can get so many chances along with so many other non-deserving players, what is then wrong in playing a deserving but an older player?

I'm genuinely pleased for him, but as a Pakistan fan it makes more sense to trial a young spinner in helpful conditions where he can be guided by Nomi and Sajid.

Someone that can then take the reigns and has some experience under their belt during the next WTC cycle.

 

[Shaka81]

It must be weird for some of the guys out there to be playing with someone genuinely old enough to be their dad...

 

[SpiritOf1903]

So basically a 40 year old minimum. Genius PCB

 

[mazkhan]

Definetly been to the beauty parlour for steam facial and kala kola application

What next recall of yusuf , razzaq , misbah and kami or even the evergreen shahid afridi making a return

 

[Markhor]

Bit like the Tabish Khan selection in 2021 vs Zimbabwe where we give an old timer some toffee for grinding it out in FC cricket for so long.

 

[Asad T]

I'm genuinely pleased for him, but as a Pakistan fan it makes more sense to trial a young spinner in helpful conditions where he can be guided by Nomi and Sajid.

Someone that can then take the reigns and has some experience under their belt during the next WTC cycle.

yeah for sure, i'd have liked faisal akram to have played instead. happy for asif afridi for sure, been great in domestic but we should probably look to the future

 

[sweep_shot]

@Bewal Express @sweep_shot @mominsaigol
@Rana expectations?

Very unusual for a 38-year old to make a Test debut.

Anyway, good for him I guess. All the best to him.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

This is such a Pakistani thing to do. Giving an old domestic performer a test debut at 38.

I don't mind it as long as he delivers with the ball. He definitely brings something different to the attack with his accuracy and high release-point.

 

[Muhammad Saad]

Tells a lot about the quality of upcoming players

 

[mazkhan]

Very unusual for a 38-year old to make a Test debut.

Anyway, good for him I guess. All the best to him.

He's probably much older

Shaheen couldn't help taking a tongue in cheek dig with his cap presentation when asif was young me and my brother would go and watch him play

One can only imagine the true age with that statement .


Ridicolous stuff most athletes start tailoring off at 35 and retirement beckons and here our Einsteins are giving debuts.

Kick in the face of the youngsters even saim ayub could have been groomed as spinner lower order batsmen in test cricket

Sufyan muqeem , abrar , faisal

Even a second pacer like khurram shahzad unfairly benched

 

[Abid Z]

I can see why they went for him. There is precedent of course in selecting zulfiqar babar and noman Ali so this has happened before. Quite rightly they have gone for accuracy and containment over mystery and occasional loose ball from Abrar. I think it’s a real statement from selectors. Consistency over flamboyance.

 

[mazkhan]

I've now come to the conclusion azhar mahmood is an absolute id**t , not only debut but he has a bright future ? Anyone 39 yrs old bright future at intl level ?

 

[Abid Z]

I've now come to the conclusion azhar mahmood is an absolute id**t , not only debut but he has a bright future ? Anyone 39 yrs old bright future at intl level ?

That is funny but not as crazy as it sounds. Noman age 39 is sitting on 93 test wickets. He might get there in this his 21st test in which case he will be one of the fastest there after Yasir, ajmal waqar.

The same can be said for Afridi. He might go on for a bit in tests or another format who knows. The future is bright after decades of toil.

 

[The_KING]

In other countries, players are long retired from international cricket by the age of 38. But in Pakistan, we are handing out a debut to a 38 year old.

On a personal level, I am happy for Asif Afridi as one's age shouldn't come in the way of achieving their dreams. But this isn't a good look for our cricket, which is already a circus show.

 

[Katwalindian]

In other countries, players are long retired from international cricket by the age of 38. But in Pakistan, we are handing out a debut to a 38 year old.

On a personal level, I am happy for Asif Afridi as one's age shouldn't come in the way of achieving their dreams. But this isn't a good look for our cricket, which is already a circus show.

If he help win couple of matches in this cycle then this is worth investment...with WTC cycle long term planning didn't matters......abrar bowl soo much loose in test cricket.....

 

[jnaveen1980]

Captain is 36 years old. Proper test match legends league. I think they should bring back Younis Khan in place of Babar Azam. He will love to play alongside his classmate Noman Ali.

 

[sl-fan-of-pak]

It might not make any sense from the team POV, but seems like a nice little personal gift for an individual. Nice speech from Shaheen explaining how long this guy has been grinding.

Did Salman Agha touch his feet there? Didn't know Pakistanis followed this custom. Is it rare or actually common to bow down or touch the feet of people you respect?

Among Muslims (we practice this in SL as well) and I have noticed this among people from Tamil Nadu (immaterial of religion) to touch the feat not in a prostrating manner, but more like saying "sorry" when you accidentally step on someone.

 

[charlie007]

If they had to bring in an Aftidi, they could have tried Shahid Afridi, he’s only 36.

Jokes aside, I’m happy to see him debut. If he has experience and has been in good form recently, it makes sense to bring him in the team. Your goal as PCT is to win matches, nothing wrong in bringing on whoever helps you get there.

 

[RidiculousMan]

1 Test match is hardly enough to judge a player

 

[RidiculousMan]

I get the negativity but I feel it might be also seen as a reward for those grinding in domestic cricket for years (I think Asif made his first class debut in 2009), "keep performing you’ll get your chance one day" kind of messaging that would show that domestic cricket is taken seriously, never seen him bowl but from the stats he’s a bowling all rounder who got good returns in the last 4/5 years and is also handy with the bat (couple of 50s), so good luck.

Plus I think Test prayers also get pension from PCB after retirement and a few other honors alongside being a Test player in history books

 

[RidiculousMan]

Definetly been to the beauty parlour for steam facial and kala kola application

What next recall of yusuf , razzaq , misbah and kami or even the evergreen shahid afridi making a return

Shahid Afridi can still make a comeback tbh. Looks pretty young

 

[BouncerGuy]

On his debut, he scored 4 off 3 balls.... Let's see what he has in the tank when he comes to bowl..

 

[pakistani pride]

Where is Abrar?

 

[BouncerGuy]

Where is Abrar?

on Bench..

 

[Abid Z]

Asif is ok. Not a big spinner though and more of a darter

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Very accurate but is only 3 months younger than the other chacha.

 

[Kianig89]

@BouncerGuy post his wickets

 

[DeadlyVenom]

He is a good bowler.

I hope we select him in a t20i. He can get league contract before his retirement

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Looks like 40+

 

[mominsaigol]

Very accurate but is only 3 months younger than the other chacha.

He's young compared to me. Mentally I am 750 years old.

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

I think the selections of all these 'chachas' points to deeper issues in Pakistan's system. The fact that there aren't enough young spinners coming through that the selectors feel can be relied on in test cricket.