PAK vs ZIM: Abrar Ahmed joins Abdul Qadir in elite list with best bowling figures on debut against Zimbabwe

In a sensational debut performance, spinner Abrar Ahmed has made an indelible mark on Pakistan's cricketing history. On November 26, 2024, the 26-year-old bowler claimed 4 wickets for just 33 runs in Pakistan's emphatic 10-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the second ODI. His remarkable performance not only sealed the win for his team but also placed him among the elite players in Pakistan’s ODI history.

He now joins the ranks of legendary Pakistani bowlers Zakir Khan and Abdul Qadir, who both achieved remarkable feats on their ODI debuts. Khan set the bar with figures of 4/19 against New Zealand in 1984, while Qadir followed up with a 4/21 performance against the same opponents a year earlier in 1983.

Zimbabwe's total of 146 runs never looked like being enough to challenge Pakistan, thanks to Abrar’s outstanding spell. His wickets included crucial breakthroughs that dismantled Zimbabwe’s top order, reducing them to a paltry score. His consistent accuracy and flighted deliveries kept the opposition in check, while his variations ensured the Zimbabwean batters had no answers.

Pakistan’s chase was clinical, with the team wrapping up the target in just 18.2 overs. Left-handed batter Saim Ayub was the star of the chase, producing a blistering knock of 113 runs from only 62 balls. His innings included 17 boundaries and 3 sixes, making a mockery of Zimbabwe’s total. Ayub’s match-winning performance anchored the chase, ensuring that Pakistan reached the target with ease.

Abdullah Shafique also contributed with a steady 32 from 48 balls, ensuring that the victory was completed without any hiccups. The commanding victory has equalized the series at 1-1, with the third and final ODI scheduled for November 28 at the same venue to determine the winner.