Abrar Ahmed has become the top-ranked T20I bowler after dethroning Rashid Khan in the recent ICC ranking update. This is the first time the mystery spinner has assumed the top spot, which he deems a dream come true. Abrar made his T20I debut in April 2024, approximately one and a half years after he bamboozled the English team in his debut Test, bagging 11 wickets.
He has since played 38 T20I games, taking 52 wickets at an impressive average of 17.36. Abrar has become only the fifth Pakistani to attain the top ranking in men’s T20Is, joining the likes of Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul and Imad Wasim.
“When you start playing cricket, you have only one dream: to represent Pakistan. Once you achieve that, the next dream is to become world number one,” Abrar told PCB Digital on the sidelines of the national men’s cricket team’s training camp.
“I feel very proud to become the world number one bowler while representing Pakistan. I will continue working hard to achieve more success and win more matches for Pakistan,” he added.
“In the past, I had variations in my bowling, but consistency was an area I needed to improve. I worked hard on my consistency and that work has helped me improve a lot,” Abrar continued.
Abrar eyes Asian Games success as No. 1 bowler
Abrar, by the time this announcement was made, was in Karachi taking part in what was Pakistan’s final day of preparation before flying to Japan for the Asian Games. He is part of a bowling attack that includes quality spinners, including Sufiyan Moqim and Arafat Minhas. Abrar eyes playing a crucial role for Pakistan in the tournament, which they will begin with a quarter-final on September 28.
“My teammates always back me and give me confidence. They tell me that I can do the job for the team and their support means a lot to me. My teammates have played a big role in my journey and have always helped boost my confidence,” he added.
“The Asian Games are coming up and my aim is to perform well and help my team win matches and return to Pakistan with a gold medal.”
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