Pakistani cricket has a rising star in the form of Abrar Ahmed, the leg-spin bowler whose recent Test debut against England made headlines. However, there’s much more to his story than his impressive cricketing skills. From his early life in Karachi to his remarkable debut in Test cricket, let’s explore the journey of this young talent.
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Early Life and Family: Abrar Ahmed was born on 16th October 1998 in Karachi, Pakistan. He hails from a family of eight siblings, being the youngest among five brothers and three sisters. His family background in cricket runs deep, with his brother Shahzad Khan having previously played as a fast bowler for National Bank.
One remarkable aspect of Abrar’s life is his dedication to his faith. He is a hafiz, having memorized the entire Qur’an. This commitment to his religion has been a fundamental part of his upbringing and character.
In a 2023 interview, Abrar mentioned that his elder brother played a pivotal role in recognizing his talent during tape ball cricket matches. While his mother and siblings were supportive from the beginning, his father, initially skeptical of a career in cricket, eventually became a strong supporter. In the same interview, Abrar expressed that his father is now “very happy” with his career choice.
Abrar Ahmed’s family roots trace back to Shinkiari, a small village located on the outskirts of Mansehra in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, highlighting the ethnic diversity within Pakistan.
Domestic Career: Abrar Ahmed’s cricketing journey began at the Rashid Latif Academy. He made his Twenty20 debut for Karachi Kings on 10th February 2017 in the 2017 Pakistan Super League (PSL). This marked the start of his professional cricket career. He later made his first-class debut on 20th November 2020, representing Sindh in the 2020–21 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
In October 2021, Abrar was named in the Pakistan Shaheens squad for their tour of Sri Lanka. His List A debut came on 11th November 2021, playing for the Pakistan Shaheens against the Sri Lanka A cricket team.
The year 2023 marked a significant milestone in his career as he was picked up by Islamabad United during the draft for the PSL 2023. His talent was highly praised by former Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal during the draft ceremony.
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International Debut: The highlight of Abrar Ahmed’s career came in December 2022 when he received his call-up to the Pakistan national team for the series against England. On 9th December 2022, he made his Test debut against England in the 2nd Test of the series, which took place in Multan. In a stunning display of his skills, he took 7 wickets for 114 runs in England’s first innings and 4 for 120 in the second innings, achieving a remarkable 11-wicket haul in his maiden Test.
Notably, Abrar Ahmed became the first Pakistani bowler to take a 5-wicket haul in the first session on his Test debut. His performance was historic, and he also became the thirteenth Pakistani bowler to achieve a five-wicket haul on Test debut.
His outstanding debut earned him a place in the Pakistan squad for the Test series against New Zealand, where he continued to shine by picking up another 5-wicket haul in the first innings of the first Test.
A Glimpse into His Profile:
- Nickname: Harry Potter
- Height: 6 ft (183 cm)
- Batting: Right-handed
- Bowling: Leg spin
- Role: Bowler
Career Statistics:
- Test Matches: 6
- T20 Matches: 21
- First-Class Matches: 18
- Runs Scored: 52 (Test), 0 (T20), 150 (FC)
- Batting Average: 13.00 (Test), 0 (T20), 11.20 (FC)
- Wickets: 38 (Test), 22 (T20), 104 (FC)
- Bowling Average: 31.07 (Test), 27.04 (T20), 27.74 (FC)
- 5 Wickets in an Innings: 2 (Test), 0 (T20), 6 (FC)
- 10 Wickets in a Match: 1 (Test), 0 (T20), 3 (FC)
- Best Bowling: 7/114 (Test), 3/14 (T20), 7/114 (FC)
What Lies Ahead: As Abrar Ahmed continues to make strides in international cricket, Pakistan can look forward to a promising future with this talented leg-spin bowler in their ranks. His dedication, remarkable debut, and commitment to both his faith and cricket make him a notable figure in the world of sports. Pakistan’s cricketing community and fans worldwide will undoubtedly be eager to see where Abrar Ahmed’s journey in cricket takes him next.
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