'This was the second-biggest happiness for us,' - Abrar's father

What more could a father want from his son to represent him and his nation with pride on international platform?

A father who was previously unknown to the public was introduced after his son, a young mystery spinner, made him and his family proud.

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Multan Test hero Abrar Ahmed's father, Noor Islam, declared that today was the second-happiest day of his life.

"We are too happy today. The first happiness was when Abrar memorised Quran and this was the second-biggest happiness for us as he bagged seven wickets on his debut against England in the Multan Test," said the proud father.

 Abrar, who made his test debut, shocked England's hitters, who were in fine form after scoring 657 runs in the first innings of the first Tes at Rawalpindi. On day 1 of the second Test, the mystery spinner rattled England's batting by taking five wickets before lunch.

Later, the right-arm spinner took seven wickets altogether for Pakistan, helping the hosts bowl out an in-form England for 281 runs.

Abrar was praised by Islam for his intelligence and his devotion to obedience.

"He was a very obedient and intelligent child. He grew up in a religious environment," said Islam while lamenting about the lack of facilities in Abrar's childhood ground where a lot of other children now dream of becoming professional cricketers.

The 24-year-old aspired to become a professional on the playground directly across from his residence.

"Abrar and we used to play here together," the cricketer's friends — who had gathered around Abrar's home — said.

"We are very happy to see our friend representing Pakistan. We hope to see him making the country proud," they said.

Reminder for all is that Abrar became the 13th Pakistani bowler to bag a five-wicket haul on his Test debut.