England had gotten off to a solid start and had mustered 36 runs after the first eight overs. At that stage, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam decided to bring Abrar into the attack. The 24-year-old mystery spinner earned his call-up through sheer volume of wickets in the recent Quaid-e-Azam Trophy – he took 43 wickets, 13 more than the next best – and instantly justified his selection.

His opening delivery in Test cricket was full and was worked through the cover region for a couple. The next three deliveries were also on the fuller side. On the fifth ball, though, he completely outfoxed Crawley. He flighted a googly deliciously on a length just outside off stump. Crawley went searching for it and failed to reach the pitch of the ball, beaten in the air. The ball then spun past the inside edge and smashed into the top of off stump, leaving Crawley bewildered.

Abrar’s moment of magic highlighted why there has been such hype around him in recent times. On a Multan pitch that is expected to aid spin further, he could be crucial to Pakistan’s chances. The hosts, however, may be ruing their decision to exclude him for the first Test, considering how almost all of their bowlers struggled against England.

Watch the magical Abrar Ahmed delivery to Crawley here:

A wicked googly through the gate for your first Test wicket in your first over on debut – it does not get any better 👏

Abrar Ahmed, take a bow.#PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/Thv9LUr26y

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 9, 2022