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Abrar Ahmed

Abrar Ahmed bowling 2023 (cropped)
Abrar Ahmed bowling 2023 (cropped) Image: Wikimedia Commons. Nazly Ahmed / CC BY-SA 4.0

Abrar Ahmed (born 11 September 1998) is a Pakistani cricketer who plays as a right-arm leg spin bowler. He came to international prominence in December 2022 when he claimed a ten-wicket haul on his Test debut against England at the Multan Cricket Stadium, becoming the first Pakistani bowler to achieve the feat on debut since 1995.

Key facts

Full name Abrar Ahmed
Date of birth 11 September 1998
Nationality Pakistani
Role Bowler
Bowling style Right-arm leg spin
National side Pakistan
Test debut 9 December 2022, vs England, Multan

Background

Abrar Ahmed established himself in domestic cricket in Pakistan as a specialist leg spin bowler, a discipline that has historically produced several notable Pakistani Test cricketers. His performances in the domestic circuit led to his selection for the senior national side.

International career

Call-up to the national side

Abrar was called up to the Pakistan national cricket team in December 2022 for the home Test series against England. The series formed part of England's first full Test tour of Pakistan in nearly two decades.

Test debut

He made his Test debut on 9 December 2022 in the second match of the series at the Multan Cricket Stadium. In the first innings he took 7 wickets for 114 runs, and followed this with 4 wickets for 120 runs in the second innings. With these figures he became the first Pakistani bowler to claim a ten-wicket haul on Test debut since 1995.

Significance

Abrar's debut performance placed him in a small group of Pakistani bowlers to take ten or more wickets in their first Test, and underlined the continuing role of leg spin in Pakistan's red-ball attack. The match also drew attention because of the rarity of seven-wicket hauls in a debut innings.

References