Pakistan debutant Abrar Ahmed produced a spell against England on Friday, taking seven wickets as the tourists were bowled out for 281 on the first day of the second Test in Multan.
“People call me Harry Potter, but I’m not a wizard,” he said after surprising onlookers.
“I did what I do, and that is to take wickets.”
The moment of the match for him was the scalp of England captain Ben Stokes.
“My teammates were telling me that usually, it’s the first wicket you like, but for me, Stokes’ wicket was the best.”
“I will never forget that day,” Abrar told through a translator. I want to win this match for Pakistan and also want to perform well in the upcoming matches.
“I bowled cross-seam to see what was required. Variations on this pitch were key.”
The 24-year-old – nicknamed “Harry Potter” by friends because he wears glasses similar to the fictional boy wizard – worked his magic to finish with 7-114.
In reply, Pakistan’s score was 107-2, with captain Babar Azam on 61 and Saud Shakeel on 32 behind an unbeaten 174.
Of the 12 wickets that fell on the day, James Anderson was the only fast bowler to dismiss a batsman when he took the lead over Pakistani opener Imam-ul-Haq, who was dismissed for no runs.
Abdullah Shafiq got off spinner Jack Leach for 14 before keeper Ollie Pope, but Azam and Shakeel opened the day with an unbeaten 56-run partnership for the third wicket.
The day belonged to the home team and Ahmed in particular.
Under pressure to level the series, Azam got his wish when the pitch took a turn from the start.
He brought on Ahmed in just the ninth over, and the spinner repaid Crowley by bowling him with a quick delivery – only his fifth in Test cricket.
Ahmed then trapped Duckt and Root down the leg – both dismissed only when Azam reviewed the on-field calls.
He made it 167-5 when Pope and Brock mistimed aggressive shots and were caught.
Ahmed was happy with his effort.
