The unheralded spinner Abrar Ahmed emerged as the biggest surprise of the second Test between Pakistan and England, taking seven wickets to dismiss the visitors for a pitiful score on the first day of play on Friday.
Abrar made the most of the spin-friendly conditions to torment the England batters on a day when Pakistan was hoping for some motivation after the loss in the series opener in Rawalpindi.
The 24-year-old mystery spinner dismissed England for 281 in the first two sessions at Multan Cricket Stadium after grabbing 7-114 and receiving a lot of assistance from the dry track.
Abrar Ahmed, 7-wicket spell – Watch
🗣️ Hear from Abrar Ahmed himself about his incredible bowling spell 🔊#PAKvENG | #UKSePK pic.twitter.com/IQoLhzzrpM
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 9, 2022
3rd bowler from Pakistan to have this record
Abrar’s heroics led to England’s batters’ demise just as they were on track to make another massive total after racing to 117 for 1.
Mohammad Zahid and Mohammad Nazir, who each got seven wickets on their Test debuts, were joined by Abrar.
Before being dismissed by Ahmed in the first session, Ben Duckett (63) and Ollie Pope (60) both quickly reached a half-century. Ahmed then became just the second bowler in test history to claim five wickets before lunch in his first match.
Most wickets from Pakistan on their debut
Mohammad Zahid in Rawalpindi against New Zealand – 7 for 66
Mohammad Nazir in Karachi against New Zealand in 1969 – 7 for 99
Abrar in Multan against England – 2022 – 7 for 114
Bilal Asif in Dubai – 2018 – 6 for 36
Arif Butt in Melbourne against Australia in 1964 – 6 for 89
England got rid of both Pakistan openers
Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique, Pakistan’s opening batsmen, were both quickly dismissed by England before Babar Azam, the home team’s captain, led them to 107-2 at stumps, where play was stopped due to poor lighting with 10 overs left in the day.
