Who is Muhammad Abbas, Lahore-born all-rounder who smashed fastest ODI fifty on debut for New Zealand vs Pakan | Cricket News
Lahore-born all-rounder Muhammad Arslan Abbas relished a smashing international debut at McLean Park in Napier on Saturday, albeit against the country of his birth, Pakan, in the Black Caps outfit for New Zealand.
Batting at six on the back of a century from Mark Chapman and 76 from Daryl Mitchell, the 21-year-old waltzed into the record books on his ODI debut, blazing a half-century in only 24 balls against Pakan. The effort was recognised as the quickest half-century on ODI debut a man, erasing the previous mark India all-rounder Krunal Pandya who struck a 26-ball half-century on debut against England five years ago.
The moment 21-year-old Muhammad Abbas regered the fastest-ever fifty on ODI debut! Follow LIVE and free in NZ on TVNZ + & DUKE 
and @SportNationNZ 
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— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 29, 2025
Who is Muhamad Abbas – all you need to know
Born in November 2003, the left-arm seam bowler’s father Azhar Abbas was also a First-Class cricketer in Pakan. Azhar turned up for sides like Peshawar and the Pakan Railways before moving to New Zealand in mid-2000s and representing Wellington and Auckland in the final stages of his career. Azhar is currently the assant coach of the Wellington Firebirds.
With a bevy of New Zealand’s all-rounders unavailable due to their IPL commitments, young Muhammad got his maiden call-up to the ODI side before slamming three fours and as many sixes on his debut. In 21 First-Class matches representing Wellington since his debut in 2023, Muhammad has scored over 1300 runs with a best of 130 besides picking up 12 wickets.
