Oldest debutants to take a five-for in Test ft. Asif Afridi

Pakistan spinner Asif Afridi made cricket history on his Test debut in October 2025 by becoming the oldest bowler to claim a five-wicket haul. At 38 years and 299 days, Afridi broke a record that had stood for more than nine decades. His remarkable achievement came during the second Test against South Africa at Rawalpindi, where he spun a web around the Proteas’ middle order with skillful left-arm spin. This milestone places Afridi among a rare group of veteran cricketers who have made a stunning impact on their introduction to Test cricket.

Asif Afridi’s historic Test debut

Afridi’s debut was an inspiring testament to perseverance and skill. The left-arm spinner made the most of his opportunity by taking 5 wickets for 46 runs in an innings, a performance that not only helped Pakistan gain a crucial advantage in the match but also etched his name in the record books. Afridi’s bowling was characterized by disciplined accuracy, variations in pace, and subtle turn, which left the South African batters struggling to find answers. His breakthrough wicket came when he trapped Simon Harmer leg-before-wicket during the morning session on Day 3, a moment that energized the home crowd as Afridi dropped to his knees in gratitude upon reaching the five-wicket milestone.

His debut effort rewrote history as he surpassed England’s Charles Marriott, who previously held the record as the oldest player to take a five-wicket haul on Test debut at 37 years and 332 days. Marriott’s record stood unchallenged since 1933, when he achieved the feat against the West Indies at The Oval. Afridi’s performance marks a special moment in Pakistan cricket and highlights the value of experience and persistence regardless of age in international Test cricket.

Oldest debutants to take a five-for in Tests

The elite group of oldest debutant bowlers to take a five-wicket haul in Test matches spans over a century and includes some remarkable cricketers whose debuts came late in their careers but left an indelible mark:

1. Charles Marriott

Charles “Father” Marriott’s debut remains unique not only because of his age but also because he took two five-wicket hauls in the same match, finishing with an extraordinary match haul of 11 wickets for 96 runs. Despite this outstanding performance, Marriott never played another Test match. He was a crafty leg-spinner whose clever fighting of the ball and perfect length confounded the West Indians, establishing a rare record for a one-Test wonder.

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2. Hines Johnson

Hines Johnson of the West Indies was the oldest fast bowler to achieve the feat at 37 years and 258 days. He made his memorable debut against England in Kingston in 1948, taking five wickets in each innings and helping his team to victory. Johnson was celebrated for his economical bowling and ability to take wickets consistently.

3. Douglas Carr

Douglas Carr, an English bowler who debuted in 1909 at the age of 37 years and 145 days during an Ashes Test against Australia, was another remarkable case. Carr had limited first-class experience but was selected for his unique skill in bowling the googly, then a relatively new and deceptive delivery style. He took five wickets in his only Test innings, showcasing a remarkable debut despite limited experience at the highest level.

4. Asif Afridi

Afridi’s achievement adds to this distinguished list, emphasizing the timeless nature of cricket where age often becomes secondary to skill and determination. His success is particularly inspiring as it came after years of persistence in Pakistan domestic cricket and waiting patiently for a national call-up well past the conventional age for international debutants. His feat is a reminder that talent combined with resilience can create historic cricketing moments irrespective of age.

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