Abrar Ahmed, who has got the maiden call-up in Pakistan’s 18-player squad for a three-match Test series against England, has credited former Pakistani captain Sarfaraz Ahmed as the driving force behind his optimism of national selection.
The leg-break googly bowler, whilst expressing that it has been his dream to represent his country on an international level, is the highest wicket-taker in the ongoing Quaid e Azam trophy. Sindh’s bowling sensation has 43 wickets to his name so far, with the best figures of 6/61.
The player, though, got his name in the line-up against England in the recently-concluded home T20I series; however, he did not make it to the playing XI. Revealing the motivational factor behind his striving and eventually making it to an international level, he said Sindh’s captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has played a pivotal role.
“As I started to take wickets in 3 to 4 matches in the ongoing season of the Quaid-e-Azam trophy, my fellow teammates started to tell me that your name would be included in the squad. Sarfaraz Ahmed continuously said you are doing well, your name will be included, and you will play.”
He disclosed that Mohammad Wasim, the chief selector of the board, used to take verbal follow-ups of his bowling from him. His interest in his bowling gave Abrar a clue about his selection in the national panel anytime soon.
“From that moment, I realized that my name would be called up for the national squad. Now, as my name is included, I will perform like this against England in the Test series just like I am performing for the domestic side.”
He further narrated that he follows the bowling style of cricket greats like Ajanta Mendis and Mujeeb ur Rehman and also tries to look for Sunil Narine’s bowling. While mentioning how he started his cricketing career, the uncapped player said,
“I used to bowl finger spin with the help of tape-ball, then I joined Rashid Latif cricket academy. I belong from Shinkiari Mansehra, but I played most of my cricket in Karachi. I bowl finger spin bowling like Ajanta Mendis and Mujeeb ur Rehman and I also watch Sunil Narine’s bowling.”
