Abrar Ahmed takes seven on debut as Pakistan battle back against England

At the end of a breakneck opening day in Multan there was still only one story in town, Abrar Ahmed, a 24-year-old mystery spinner with the air of a junior accountant, announcing his arrival at Test level with a remarkable set of numbers on debut.

Pakistan had closed on 107 for two from 28 overs in reply to England’s slightly madcap 281 all out from 51.4, the kites gliding and swooping overhead as Babar Azam defied a 97mph peppering from Mark Wood and delivered a commanding 61 not out. For a crowd that swelled after Friday prayers, this knock was as sweet as the local jalebi.

Yet folks were also still computing what had earlier transpired, Abrar having claimed seven for 114 from 22 overs – including a five-wicket haul before lunch – with some collector’s items among them. When he bowled Ben Stokes for 30 with a beauty – the England captain’s face one of bewilderment – here was the latest reminder of the talent which bubbles up from the nursery of tape-ball cricket in this country.

Though Abrar rose through the domestic system, it was on the streets of Karachi where he first honed his craft, a mixture of leg-breaks and googlies that are flicked out from the front of the hand and through a strong middle finger. And with just his fifth ball in Test cricket the young spinner offered the first sign that England, so irresistible in Rawalpindi, may find things trickier 300 miles further south.

Zak Crawley was his initial mark here, negotiating the first four balls of the ninth over of the day with minimal fuss, only for Abrar’s next offering, a dipping, fizzy delivery from the fingertips, to scoot through a yawning gate and into the stumps. Babar, who usually gives little away, was visibly delighted at his new toy.

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