Pakistan-Born New Zealand Cricketer Breaks Krunal Pandya's ODI Record

Krunal Pandya, fresh from his recent IPL success, will have to let go one of his international cricket records as Pakistan-born New Zealand all-rounder, Muhammad Abbas, stole it from him on his Blackcaps debut against his ancestral country Pakistan on March 29 (Saturday). 

Abbas became the fastest to hit a half-century on ODI debut when the 21-year-old reached the milestone in just 24 balls, breaking Krunal’s record when the Indian had reached the fifty-run mark in 26 balls against England in 2020. 

Alick Athanaze of the West Indies had also reached his fifty on debut against the UAE in 2023 off 26 balls only. 

Born in Lahore, Pakistan, Abbas made his debut at McLean Park, Napier, during the first ODI of the three-match series against the country he was born in. His father, Azhar Abbas, was also a cricketer who featured in 45 first-class games, representing various teams in both Pakistan and New Zealand.

Thanks to Abbas’ 52 off 26, Daryl Mitchell’s 76 and Mark Chapman’s 132, New Zealand posted 344/9 in their 50 overs. However, Pakistan threatened to chase it down as they were 249/3 at one point with Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha at the crease, having put on 85 off just 59 balls for the fourth wicket. All Pakistan needed was 96 off 69 balls, with seven wickets in hand. 

At this point, Babar got out to William O’Rourke, triggering a collapse that saw all the last seven Pakistan wickets fall for just 22 runs with the team losing the match by 73 runs. A left-arm pacer with the ball, Abbas picked Pakistan captain Mohamad Rizwan as his maiden international wicket.