Mohammad Abbas (cricketer)

Mohammad Abbas
Born	(1990-03-10) March 10, 1990 Jathekey village near Sambrial, Pakistan
Occupation	Professional cricketer
Years active	2017–present
Known for	Bowling for Pakistan national cricket team and domestic teams including Southern Punjab, Hampshire, Nottinghamshire

Mohammad Abbas (born 10 March 1990) is a professional cricketer from Pakistan who competes internationally for the Pakistan national team and represents Southern Punjab in domestic competitions.

In August 2018, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) included Abbas among thirty-three players granted central contracts for the 2018–19 season. The International Cricket Council (ICC) named him one of the five breakout talents in men's cricket during 2018. Nevertheless, by July 2021, Abbas lost his central contract after failing to maintain his position in the national lineup. He is widely recognized for his accurate bowling and skillful swing.

In December 2024, Abbas made a remarkable return against South Africa, capturing seven wickets in his first Test match after a three-year absence, including six wickets during the fourth innings, showcasing an exceptional bowling display.

Early life

Abbas was born in Jathekey village near Sambrial. Prior to making his first-class debut, he supported himself through welding work in a leather factory and assisting at a law office located in Sialkot.

Domestic career

Abbas topped the wicket-taking lists in the 2015–16 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy with 61 dismissals and repeated this feat in the 2016–17 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy by claiming 71 wickets. Additionally, he was the highest wicket-taker for Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited during the 2017–18 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, taking 37 wickets across seven matches.

On 4 March 2021, Abbas was signed by Hampshire County Cricket Club as an overseas player for the initial two months of the 2021 County Championship season. In April that year, he achieved a hat-trick against Middlesex. He extended his contract with Hampshire ahead of the 2022 County Championship, concluding three seasons with a total of 180 wickets at an average of 19.26.

In February 2025, Abbas agreed to participate in six matches for Nottinghamshire during the forthcoming county championship season. His debut featured a five-wicket haul (5 for 31) against Hampshire at Trent Bridge in May 2025.

International career

In April 2017, Abbas was included in Pakistan's Test squad for their series against the West Indies. He debuted in Test cricket on 21 April 2017 at Sabina Park, capturing his first Test wicket with only his second delivery and finishing with three wickets in the match. By his third Test, he recorded his maiden five-wicket haul.

During May and June 2018, Abbas took ten wickets over Pakistan’s two-Test series versus England and earned the player of the series accolade. In August 2018, he received PCB’s Test Player of the Year award.

In October 2018, while competing against Australia, Abbas reached his 50th Test wicket milestone in just ten matches, tying as one of Pakistan’s fastest pace bowlers to do so. He secured his first ten-wicket match haul in international cricket during the final Test of that series, becoming the inaugural pace bowler to achieve this feat on UAE soil. His outstanding performances led to his selection in the ICC Men's Test Team of the Year for 2018.

Abbas was named to Pakistan’s ODI squad against Australia in March 2019 and made his ODI debut on 22 March 2019. Although selected again for Australia’s tour in November 2019, he failed to claim any wickets in the second Test match.

In June 2020, Abbas was included in a preliminary 29-man squad for Pakistan’s tour of England amid the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently shortlisted within the final 20-man Test squad. In November that year, he joined Pakistan’s expanded squad of 35 players for their New Zealand tour.

Despite consistently strong bowling performances domestically, Abbas was excluded from Pakistan's Test side between 2021 and late 2024. After appearing in only 25 Tests, he held an impressive bowling average of 23.02 with 90 wickets—ranking second only to Imran Khan among Pakistani fast bowlers—but was unexpectedly omitted from future selections.

In December 2024, Abbas rejoined Pakistan’s Test team for their South Africa tour following a three-year absence. In this comeback match, he took six wickets, playing a crucial role in Pakistan’s near-historic victory. He ended that series with ten wickets, tied as top wicket-taker alongside South Africa’s Marco Jansen. During the second Test, Abbas claimed his milestone 100th wicket by dismissing Kwena Maphaka.