Concerns Raised Over Asif Afridi’s Selection for Test Series

Former Pakistan fast bowler Tanveer Ahmed and batter Sohaib Maqsood have voiced apprehensions regarding the selection of spinner Asif Afridi in the national team for the forthcoming two-match Test series against South Africa.

Tanveer Ahmed took to social media platform ‘X’ to express his reservations, questioning Afridi’s selection based on his age and career statistics.

Ahmed remarked, “Who is this left-arm spinner, Asif Afridi? His performance includes only 83 wickets in 60 first-class matches, and he is 38 years old. If this is the same person, this selection seems to be a significant error. He does not merit a spot on the Test team.”

The former pacer further alleged favoritism in the selection process, implying that certain selectors are promoting Lahore Qalandars players to the national team irrespective of their actual merit.

He added, “It would be more transparent to state that as long as someone is a selector, every Lahore Qalandars player will be given the opportunity to represent Pakistan, regardless of their qualifications. Naming a 38-year-old Asif Afridi in the Test squad is embarrassing.”

Meanwhile, Sohaib Maqsood also criticized the inconsistencies within Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure. He highlighted the contradiction of prohibiting players over 35 from domestic cricket while simultaneously including players aged 38 and 39 in the Test squad.

Maqsood commented, “Banning 35-year-old players from domestic cricket while selecting 38 and 39-year-olds in the Test Squad demonstrates a flawed system. This shows a lack of foresight and appears to be a forced initiative.”

Notably, the 38-year-old left-arm spinner has participated in 57 first-class matches, securing 198 wickets with an economy rate of 2.92. This includes 13 five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket match hauls.

Afridi also stood out in the recent Hanif Mohammad Trophy 2025-26, representing the FATA Region.

He concluded the tournament as the highest wicket-taker, claiming 33 wickets in five matches with an economy rate of 2.33.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the squad for the two-match Test series on Tuesday, marking the commencement of Pakistan’s campaign in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27.

South Africa, the defending champions, are scheduled to tour the country for this series.

Alongside Afridi, wicketkeeper-batter Rohail Nazir and spinner Faisal Akram, both uncapped, were also named in the squad.

The first Test is scheduled to be held at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from October 12 to 16, followed by the second Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 20 to 24.

Pakistan squad for South Africa Tests: Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wicket-keeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi