KARACHI: Pakistan cricket is once again in the spotlight as Asif Afridi, a 39-year-old left-arm spinner previously banned for corruption, makes a surprise comeback to the national squad for the South Africa Test series.
Afridi was banned for two years in 2023 under PCB’s Anti-Corruption Code but returned to domestic cricket within a year.
Despite confessing to violations, including failing to report approaches, he found his way back into PSL 2022 and now into the Test squad—despite average performances in recent PSL and first-class cricket.
The decision has sparked backlash, with critics questioning how a player once facing a possible lifetime ban is now rewarded with a national call-up.
Sources claim that a powerful selector lobbied hard for Afridi’s return, further fueling the controversy.
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