Abrar Ahmed becomes first Pakistan bowler to achieve this feat in ODI cricket since 1984, bags 4 for 33 to bowl out Zimbabwe for 145 on debut

Pakistan's leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed scripted history on his ODI debut against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club, Bulwayo. Abrar bagged four wickets for 33 runs to bowl out Zimbabwe for 145. This is the third-best bowling performance on ODI debut for Pakistan. The 26-year-old is also the fourth Pakistan bowler to register a four-wicket haul on ODI debut.

The first to achieve it was Sarfraz Nawaz who took four wickets for 46 runs against New Zealand in 1973. 10 years later, Abdul Qadir took four wickets for 21 runs against New Zealand in 1983 World Cup. In 1984, Zakir Khan took four wickets for 19 runs against New Zealand.

It is also the fourt-best bowling figures on ODI debut against Zimbabwe. The top spot belongs to West Indies' Fidel Edwards who claimed six wickets for 22 runs in 2003.

Abrar's wickets 

Abrar opened the bowling from the other end after Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and opted to field first. In his second over, he knocked over opener Joylord Gumbie. He conceded 23 runs from five overs including a maiden in his first spell. 

He was brought back into the attack in the 27th over. He trapped Brandon Mavuta in front of the stumps. In the next over, he deceived tailender Richard Ngarava with a googly as the ball crashed into the stumps. His last victim of the day was Brian Bennett with a short ball.

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All spin-show in Bulawayo

The leggie was on the track to bag his maiden fifer but Faisal Akram dismissed Blessing Muzarabani, his only scalp in the innings. Apart from Abrar, vice-captain Agha Salman picked three wickets for 26 runs. Pacers Aamer Jamal and Haris Rauf remained wicketless in four overs apiece. Saim Ayub got the prized wicket of Sean Williams who scored 31 runs from 39 deliveries. For Zimbabwe, Dion Myers was the top-scorer. He scored 33 runs from 30 balls including six fours.

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Poor start to campaign

Earlier, in the first ODI, Pakistan lost by 80 runs as per DLS method as rain played spoilsport after 21 overs in the run chase. Salman and Akram's three-fers helped visitors bowl out hosts for 205. In the run chase, Pakistan suffered a batting collapse with Muzarabi, Williams and Sikadar Raza taking two wickets each. Pakistan were 60/6 after 21 overs with Rizwan and Jamal at the crease when rain played spoilsport.