Mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed is relishing his second consecutive season with Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). While the PSL has entered its 10th edition, Abrar has already been part of five seasons, having first burst onto the scene as a rookie with Karachi Kings in the 2017 edition.
His rise to prominence was built on impressive performances for Karachi Region Whites U19 in the 2016 PCB Regional U19 tournaments, where he claimed 27 wickets in the three-day format and 17 wickets in the one-day competition. These exploits earned him a spot in Karachi Kings’ squad for PSL 2, where the guidance of Muhammad Masroor — his U19 coach and a member of the Kings’ management — helped him settle into the franchise setup.
Reflecting on his journey while speaking to PCB Digital, Abrar said, “Playing for Karachi Kings straight after U19 regional cricket was an indescribable feeling. It was a refreshing experience, but unfortunately, I had to pause my career for two years due to a back injury.” He added that playing longer-format cricket post-injury helped him regain his rhythm and confidence.
Abrar’s resurgence was evident in the 2024 PSL season, where he bagged 16 wickets in 10 matches, leading to his T20I debut against New Zealand at home. His performances were further rewarded with an ODI debut against Zimbabwe later that year. Abrar credited the PSL for helping him transition into a white-ball cricketer after his Test debut in December 2022. “The PSL really helped me showcase my white-ball skills. It paved the way for my selection in Pakistan’s T20I squad, especially since I have the ability to bowl both with the new and old ball,” he explained.
Known for his bag of tricks — including carrom balls, googlies, and leg-spinners — Abrar underlined the importance of tactical bowling in T20 cricket. “Having mystery deliveries is an advantage, but a lot of mental and tactical work is required. You have to read the batter, the field settings, and even the wind direction at times,” he said.
Before settling with Quetta Gladiators, Abrar had brief stints with Peshawar Zalmi in 2021 and Islamabad United in 2023. However, it was with Quetta that he truly found his groove, serving as a strike bowler and growing as a white-ball cricketer.
Speaking about his experience with the franchise, Abrar said, “Representing Quetta Gladiators has been a great experience. Last year, I was the leading wicket-taker for them. The coaching staff, including Sir Vivian Richards, is fantastic, and it’s an environment that really supports learning and growth. Saud Shakeel is our captain this season, and I’m feeling really good playing under him.”
Abrar also shared his excitement about sharing the dressing room with familiar faces like Sarfaraz Ahmed and Saud Shakeel, with whom he has a long-standing connection from domestic cricket. Additionally, he expressed his admiration for Shoaib Malik, having played alongside him in the Champions Cup tournaments in 2024. “It’s always great to be around players like Shoaib Malik. I learned a lot from him during the Champions Cup, and that camaraderie has continued here at Quetta,” he said.
As Abrar continues to evolve as one of Pakistan’s most promising spinners, his journey from a young emerging player to a national cricketer underscores the vital role platforms like the PSL have played in nurturing domestic talent.
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