NEW DELHI: Pakistan is known for producing the best fast bowlers in the world but at the same time it also had legendary spinners like Abdul Qadir, Mushtaq Ahmed and the current head coach. Saqlain Mushtaq in the old days.
Their roster grew on Friday with the latest spin sensation Abrar Ahmad, who is yet to make his limited overs debut, becoming the overnight star with his magic spell on his Test debut against England. The 24-year-old leg bowler made a dream debut taking seven wickets as England were dismissed for 281 on the opening day of the second Test at Multan.
Here is an overview of how Abrar rose to fame in a very short time:
* Abrar is Pakistan’s only modern mystery spinner who is a registered leg thrower, but has splayed, carrom ball in his arsenal and he can also create magic with his fingers around the ball.
* He became the third bowler to win seven wickets (7/114) in the Test debut for Pakistan. The other bowlers are Mohammad Zahid and Mohammad Nazir.
* Abrar was nicknamed “Harry Potter” by friends because he wears glasses similar to the fictional boy wizard.
* Abrar hails from Shinkiari, a small village on the outskirts of Mansehra near Abbottabad.
* Abrar grew up playing cricket after his father moved to Karachi in 1977.
* Abrar caught the attention of local coaches with his spinning ability and helped Zone 3 in Karachi win the local title for the first time with 53 wickets in 2016.
* He honed his bowling skills at the Rashid Latif Academy, and he trained under the eyes of Muhammad Masroor – a renowned coaching name in the city.
Their roster grew on Friday with the latest spin sensation Abrar Ahmad, who is yet to make his limited overs debut, becoming the overnight star with his magic spell on his Test debut against England. The 24-year-old leg bowler made a dream debut taking seven wickets as England were dismissed for 281 on the opening day of the second Test at Multan.
Here is an overview of how Abrar rose to fame in a very short time:
* Abrar is Pakistan’s only modern mystery spinner who is a registered leg thrower, but has splayed, carrom ball in his arsenal and he can also create magic with his fingers around the ball.
* He became the third bowler to win seven wickets (7/114) in the Test debut for Pakistan. The other bowlers are Mohammad Zahid and Mohammad Nazir.
* Abrar was nicknamed “Harry Potter” by friends because he wears glasses similar to the fictional boy wizard.
* Abrar hails from Shinkiari, a small village on the outskirts of Mansehra near Abbottabad.
* Abrar grew up playing cricket after his father moved to Karachi in 1977.
* Abrar caught the attention of local coaches with his spinning ability and helped Zone 3 in Karachi win the local title for the first time with 53 wickets in 2016.
* He honed his bowling skills at the Rashid Latif Academy, and he trained under the eyes of Muhammad Masroor – a renowned coaching name in the city.
