Abrar, Pakistan's mystery spinner who can fox India

The story goes thus. When the then Pakistan National Cricket Academy coach Mushtaq Ahmed asked Abrar Ahmed about Abdul Qadir, the young man asked, "yeh kaun hai? (who is this)".

- Rasesh Mandani

DUBAI:

The bespectacled Abrar, is a self-taught mystery spinner and a product of Pakistan's tape-ball cricket who idolises Sunil Narine. Come Sunday, he will be their No.1 weapon against India amidst the show-stealing pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Harris Rauf and Naseem Shah.

Abrar, 26, is the only specialist spinner Pakistan have picked in their squad, a matter of much debate. This approach will be severely tested in Dubai as he shoulders the burden of challenging India's batting heavyweights during the middle overs.

Of Harry Potter looks with his large glasses and nicknamed so by teammates - affectionately by some, teasingly by others - Abrar ensured the spotlight firmly shifted to his bowling after a 11-wicket-haul on Test debut against England in late 2022.

"It's because of a lack of awareness and understanding of mystery spin that allowed him to make it at the highest level," says Mohammad Masroor, his talent scout, now Pakistan's fielding coach.