Hard work made dream debut possible: Abbas

National team newbie talks cricket journey, debut series

KARACHI: Pakistan’s latest seam sensation Muhammad Abbas says his dream debut in the recent Test series win over West Indies was a culmination of years of hard work and became possible only after overcoming of numerous setbacks on his part.

The 27-year-old cricketer, who has been the leading wicket taker in Pakistan's domestic circuit for each of the last two years, was called up for the national team for the tour of the Caribbean.

Finally been afforded the opportunity, Abbas pounced with both hands, taking 15 wickets in the three-match series, including a wicket in the very first over of his career — the stuff that dreams are made of.

Fortunately for him, his feat wasn't nocturnal but completely real and something he had worked his socks off for.

“When I began playing first-class cricket in 2009, my next aim was to play for the national team and that is what I have been working hard for all these years,” Abbas told The Express Tribune from England where he is currently attending a training camp with the national team.

“I faced many disappointments and hurdles but I did not stop working hard and kept my focus on the game. So when my name was called up it was like my hard work had paid off and I had taken the first step towards the realisation of my dream.”

Abbas's work, however, was far from over as in his own words, "now I had to prove my worth by doing well in the series."

And prove he did by taking his first Test wicket with only the second ball of his career. “This was the perfect start I wanted, and it was all possible due to my tireless effort,” said the Sialkot-born. "That and the prayers of my parents are to thank for this."

As any debutant, Abbas was admittedly nervous with the cherry in his hand for the first time, but says his jitters went away as fast as they came.

“There was so much pressure of bowling but I was lucky to have supporting seniors,” he recalled. “Also, when I took that first wicket it boosted my confidence. The pressure of playing international cricket was immediately released. I felt more confident in my second and third spells, and eventually ended up taking three wickets in the first match.”

Abbas was one of only few bright points of the second Test defeat as he claimed four wickets in the first innings and another two in the second.

But he saved his best for last as he secured the first five-for of his career in the decisive third Test, helping Pakistan clinch the match and the series.

“The fact that I played a vital role in a win for Pakistan was the proudest moment of my life,” Abbas added.

That partnership with Misbah

Abbas also shed light on his first Test partnership with captain Misbahul Haq when he was sent in as a number 11 batsman with explicit instructions of helping the skipper get to his century.

And while his supporting cameo did allow Misbah to get from 68 to 99, a farewell ton wasn't achieved, with the guilty party being Abbas who lost his wicket at the most inopportune time.

Thinking that he will never hear the end of it and is in for a world of verbal pain, Abbas was astonished to find what his captain told him.

"That moment when I lost my wicket I was stunned, thinking what did I just do? How can I lose my wicket at this point?” said Abbas. “I knew I would get to hear a lot from the captain and was scared too but instead he told me not to worry and appreciated my efforts.”