Bowling to Virat Kohli was my childhood dream come true: Abrar Ahmed

For 26-year-old spinner Abrar Ahmed of Pakistan, bowling to Virat Kohli was the fulfilment of a lifelong desire rather than simply another game. In the crucial India vs. Pakistan match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai, he at last had his chance. Even though Pakistan lost by six wickets, Abrar found great personal significance in the match.

Following his exclusion from the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2023 T20 World Cup in New York, Abrar made a splash in Dubai with a disciplined performance, scoring 1/28 in his 10 overs. In addition to forcing Kohli to work hard for his runs by keeping him in there, he also brilliantly dismissed Indian opener Shubman Gill.

“My childhood dream of bowling to Virat Kohli has come true in Dubai,” Abrar told Telecom Asia Sport. I even baited him by urging him to hit me for a six because it was a fantastic challenge. But he never lost his temper. We all know that Kohli is a fantastic batter, but he is also a wonderful person.

Abrar was even more taken aback by Virat Kohli post-match response.

“I was thrilled when he said, ‘well bowled,'” he said. “I used to tell the Under-19 players that I would bowl to Kohli someday because I grew up idolising him.”

Beyond Kohli’s batting, Abrar was particularly impressed by his unwavering work ethic and exceptional level of fitness, saying, “His fitness is outstanding.” He went on to say, “What makes him such a unique cricketer is the way he runs between the wickets, which is visually striking.”

When Abrar bowled Gill with a crisp, potent delivery, it was his most memorable moment of the game. Although his joyous eye flick went viral and generated some discussion, he played down any backlash. “I don’t see anything wrong with that; it’s just my style. I apologise if I offended anyone; it wasn’t my aim, but no official told me I did anything improper.

Pakistan’s campaign ended in disappointment despite Abrar’s outstanding performance because they were among the first teams eliminated in the group stage, along with Bangladesh.