“From Suspension to Selection: 38-Year-Old Afridi’s Test Dream Realised”

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming Test series against South Africa, marking the first Test call-up for 38-year-old Asif Afridi.

Afridi, who had previously been banned due to corruption charges, served a two-year suspension with one year suspended in 2022 for violating anti-corruption regulations. After completing his ban, he returned to competitive cricket and has recently impressed selectors with his consistent performances.

The left-arm spinner has played 57 first-class matches, taking 198 wickets and contributing 1,630 runs with the bat, earning him a deserved recall to the national team.

Alongside Afridi, the squad features two other newcomers: Faisal Akram and Roheel Nazir. Both players have represented Pakistan in three T20 internationals each but will be making their Test debuts in this series.

Series Schedule

• First Test: 12 October
• Second Test: 20 October, Rawalpindi
• Followed by: Three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20 Internationals

Pakistan Test Squad

The upcoming series presents an opportunity for the Pakistan team to blend experience with fresh talent, as veterans like Afridi bring their expertise while newcomers aim to make an impact on the Test stage.