On 24 July 2023, Pakistan locked horns with Sri Lanka in the second game of the ongoing two-match Test series in Colombo. The Men in Green won the series opener and hence, they were looking for another win to clean-sweep the series. While the home team were looking for a win to level the series.
Speaking of the match, the Sri Lanka skipper, Dimuth Karunaratne won the toss and opted to bat first. He and Nishan Madhushka came out as openers. But, the home team lost their first four wickets for just 36 runs. Then, Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva put up a partnership of 85 runs for the fifth wicket.
Abrar Ahmed grabbed three wickets each in each inning of the first Test
Finally, Chandimal got out on 34 runs off 60 balls, including four fours. Abrar Ahmed took the wicket of Dhananjaya as he scored 57 runs off 68 balls, including nine fours and one six. After that, Abrar continued his magic as he finished the spell with four wickets for 69 runs in 20.4 overs. Along with him, Shaheen Shah Afridi took one wicket while Naseem Shah grabbed three wickets. It was another top performance from the young spinner as he has been enjoying a good start to his Test career for Pakistan. In the first match, he took three wickets each in both innings.
In 11 Test innings so far, he has managed 38 wickets so far at an economy of 3.64. Abrar Ahmed made his Test debut in December 2022 during the home series against England. However, he is yet to make his debut in the other two formats. Meanwhile, Pakistan managed a solid start in their first innings as they reached 37 runs in six overs for one wicket. Imam-ul-Haq got out on just six runs and Asitha Fernando took the wicket. At the time of this writing, Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique were on the crease. Seeing that spell from Abrar, fans shared their views on social media.
Here is how fans have reacted:
SL me sirf De Silva ne theka le rakha hai kya 🤣
— Rahul Sharma (@RahulSh24082787) July 24, 2023
As if we cares😭😭 pic.twitter.com/zT7ku4sgz6
— 𝚁𝚞𝚗 𝙼𝚊𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚎⚡ (@82off52) July 24, 2023
Better than fraud Ashwin in my book. 🙄
— Straw Hat Jutt 🎗️ 🇵🇰 (@StrawHatLuffy7x) July 24, 2023
Every Pakistani bowler starts like this then 📉
— Pandit Jofra Archer (@Punn_dit) July 24, 2023
NZ ke khilaf to bechare se pure din bowling karwae ja rahe the 😅😅
— Rahul Sharma (@RahulSh24082787) July 24, 2023
With one inning more to go
— Usamah Naeem (@NaeemUsamah11) July 24, 2023
New saqlain mushtaq
— Neha 🇮🇳 (@Neha70283) July 24, 2023
Better than Ashwin , jadeja !!!!!!
— Abdul Manan (@manan_himself) July 24, 2023
Learning for GOAT Harbhajan videos on YouTube
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@77thHundredwhnx) July 24, 2023