Asif Afridi: A Pakistani Cricket All-Rounder
Asif Khan Afridi is a Pakistani cricketer known primarily as a slow left-arm orthodox bowler and a left-handed batsman. Born on December 25, 1986, in Peshawar, Pakistan, Afridi is considered a veteran of Pakistan’s domestic cricket circuit, having built a reputation as a reliable all-rounder.
Domestic Career and Highlights
Afridi’s professional journey in cricket is marked by consistent performances in domestic leagues.
- Teams: He has played for several domestic teams, including Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for teams like Multan Sultans and Lahore Qalandars.
- Wicket-Taking Prowess: He was the leading wicket-taker for FATA in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy tournaments.
- Pakistan Cup Success: A major highlight came in the final of the 2020-21 Pakistan Cup, where he took a five-wicket haul for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, earning him the titles of Player of the Match and Bowler of the Tournament.
- Overall Stats: In First-Class cricket, he has taken 198 wickets in 57 matches.
International and Recent Career
Afridi’s strong domestic showings led to his selection in Pakistan’s One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) squads for the series against Australia in March 2022.
In a significant recent development, at the age of 38, Asif Afridi was handed his Test debut for Pakistan in the second match against South Africa in October 2025. This selection highlighted a tactical move by the team management to strengthen the spin bowling attack.
Anti-Corruption Ban and Comeback
A notable event in his career involved a temporary halt due to an anti-corruption violation. In February 2023, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) banned Asif Afridi for two years for violating the anti-corruption code. He pleaded guilty to failing to report an approach “to engage in corrupt conduct” during the National Twenty20 Cup. However, one year of the ban was suspended, allowing him to return to competitive cricket in 2023. His Test debut in 2025 marked a significant comeback following this setback.