Abrar Ahmed shined with 1/28 v India in Champions Trophy match, despite Pakistan's defeat.
The 26-year-old leg-spinner had his chance to bowl at Kohli in the high-stakes India-Pakistan match. Despite Pakistan's six-wicket defeat, Abrar saw the encounter as personal.
Abrar had an effect with a disciplined spell of 1/28 in ten overs. More crucially, he kept Kohli in check with his tight bowling, forcing the Indian maestro to work hard for his runs. Abrar also dismissed Shubman Gill in the game.
“My childhood dream of bowling to Kohli has come true in Dubai. It was a great challenge and I took the liberty of teasing him, asking him to hit me a six, but he never got angry. Kohli is a great batter, we all know that. But he is a great human being too,” Abrar told Telecom Asia Sport.
It was Kohli’s reaction after the match that left Abrar in awe. Abrar was particularly taken aback by Kohli’s supreme fitness and work ethic.
“He said, ‘well bowled’ after the match, and that made my day. I have grown up idolizing Kohli and used to tell Under-19 players that one day I will bowl to him.
Kohli's fitness is outstanding. The way he runs between the wicket is eye-catching and that's what makes him a unique cricketer,” Abrar added.
Abrar bowled a magnificent delivery to dismiss Shubman Gill, sending the Indian opener back with a quick turn that rattled his stumps. Some considered his jubilant flick of the neck towards the pavilion, which went viral, to be provocative, but Abrar played it down.
“That's my style and I see nothing wrong with it. No official told me that I did anything wrong but if it hurt anyone, I am sorry for that. It was not my intention to hurt anyone,” said the spinner.
Abrar will be seen in action when Pakistan tours New Zealand for 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is in March.