Abrar credits PSL for his growth in white-ball formats

LAHORE: Mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed is representing Quetta Gladiators for second consecutive HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) season. While the HBL PSL has entered its 10th edition, Abrar has been part of the five editions as he burst on the scene for Karachi Kings in the HBL PSL 2017 as a rookie in emerging category.

Abrar’s heroics for the Karachi Region Whites U19 in 2016 iteration of the PCB Regional U19 three-day (27 wickets in seven matches) and one-day competitions (17 wickets in eight matches) earned him a spot in Karachi Kings squad for the second edition of the HBL PSL.

Talking to the PCB digital about his journey, Abrar said, “I played for Karachi Kings in the HBL PSL season two in 2017 and it was straight after playing U19 regional cricket. Muhammad Masroor was my coach in Karachi Region Whites U19 and he was also part of the Kings’ team management, which helped me immensely in settling down in the franchise.

“As a teenager I felt great after being picked up in HBL PSL as a youngster which I can’t describe in words. It was a refreshing experience but after that I had to stop playing the game for two years due to a back injury. “Following the injury setback, playing longer form of the game helped get back to rhythm and form.”

In the 2024 HBL PSL season his haul of 16 wickets in 10 matches earned him Pakistan T20I cap against New Zealand at home. The ODI debut came in November 2024 against Zimbabwe.

Shedding light on his emergence as a white-ball player following his Test debut in December 2022, he remarked, “My first national call-up was in Pakistan’s T20I squad in September 2022 against England in the home series, but I couldn’t get a game. “Then I made my Test debut after which the HBL PSL 2024 helped me showcase my white-ball skills. You can say the HBL PSL helped me break into the Pakistan white-ball squads especially T20I as I bowl with the new ball as well as old ball.”