“I try to keep things simple”: Abrar Ahmed after match-winning spell vs South Africa

Overview

• Abrar Ahmed’s spin magic dismantled South Africa’s batting line-up.
• Pakistan defeated the Proteas by seven wickets in the third and final ODI in Faisalabad.
• Abrar was named Player of the Match.

Abrar Ahmed’s spin magic dismantled South Africa’s batting line-up as Pakistan defeated the Proteas by seven wickets in the third and final ODI in Faisalabad, sealing the three-match series 2–1. Abrar’s four-wicket haul stood out as South Africa were bowled out for just 143 in 37.5 overs. Pakistan comfortably chased down the target in 25.1 overs.

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The visitors began well, with openers Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Quinton de Kock putting up 72 runs for the first wicket. However, after Pretorius’ dismissal for 39, wickets kept falling at regular intervals. De Kock top-scored with 53, but apart from the openers, no other batter managed to settle as Pakistan’s spinners took charge. Alongside Abrar’s four wickets, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Agha, and captain Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up two wickets each.

"I bowled as per how I read the pitch" - Abrar Ahmed

In reply, Pakistan had an early setback as Fakhar Zaman was dismissed for a two-ball duck. But Saim Ayub’s fluent 77, along with Babar Azam’s 27 and Mohammad Rizwan’s unbeaten 32, ensured a convincing victory for the hosts. Abrar was named Player of the Match, while Quinton de Kock bagged the Player of the Series award for scoring 239 runs.

During the post-match presentation, Abrar shared how he adapted to the pitch conditions while constantly communicating with Rizwan.

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"I bowled as per how I read the pitch and I kept speaking to Rizwan as well. I have learned some things from my previous games and I just used that here. I try to keep things simple. I apply what I am working on, so I don't think much about being in and out of the team. I have been working on landing the ball in the right areas because that's important with variations and it worked today. I am very happy with this performance and the effort is to try and play better in pressure games," he said.