If you are Muhammad Abbas, your life has likely undergone a significant transformation in the past week, particularly following a call from Gary Stead, the head coach of New Zealand, notifying him of his inclusion in the BlackCaps ODI squad. The highlight of this journey came when Abbas received his ODI cap in Napier on Saturday, facing none other than Pakistan, his country of origin. The all-rounder from Lahore marked this milestone by setting a world record.

Abbas concluded the New Zealand innings at McLean Park with an impressive 52 runs, achieving the fastest half-century on debut by reaching 50 runs off just 24 balls. This remarkable feat surpassed the previous record held by Indian all-rounder Krunal, who had scored a fifty in 26 balls during his ODI debut.

As the son of Azhar Abbas, a former first-class cricketer in both Pakistan and New Zealand, Abbas junior entered the match at No. 6 when New Zealand was positioned at 249/4 in 41.3 overs, aiming to secure quick runs to strengthen their performance in the series opener. The right-handed batsman, who also contributes as a left-arm seam bowler, showcased his talent with a spectacular display, hitting three sixes and three fours.

With the ball, Abbas Junior picked up the important wicket of Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan to show his all-round skills. He played a crucial role in New Zealand's 73-run victory.

The story of Muhammad Abbas

Abbas received his first One Day International (ODI) call-up following impressive performances in his last two List A matches, where he scored 104 and 50 runs. At just 21 years old, he moved to New Zealand at a young age after his father, Azhar Abbas, chose to settle in Wellington.

His early introduction to cricket was facilitated by his father, who recognized and nurtured his talent from an early age. Abbas's cricketing journey is characterized by a combination of innate skill, dedication, and the supportive cricket culture in New Zealand.

From a young age, Abbas exhibited remarkable talent, achieving his first century at the age of 11. He refined his abilities at King’s College in Auckland, where he played for the First XI for four years under the mentorship of former New Zealand spinner Dipak Patel. Initially concentrating on bowling and learning the nuances of left-arm swing from his father, he gradually evolved into a batting allrounder. His significant breakthrough occurred during the 2018 season when, at only 14 years old, he scored seven centuries in Auckland club cricket, a remarkable achievement that established him as a cricketing prodigy.

In December 2022, Abbas's family moved to Wellington, where he joined his father's former club, Karori, before securing a contract with the Wellington Firebirds in July 2023. His domestic career progressed rapidly, culminating in his first-class debut for Wellington against Otago on February 25, 2023. His performances in the Ford Trophy, New Zealand’s leading domestic one-day competition, highlighted his batting skills, positioning him among the top scorers and earning accolades for his adeptness against spin bowling—a talent recognized by New Zealand head coach Gary Stead.

In August 2023, Abbas was chosen for the New Zealand A team in a series against Australia A, marking his ascent in the cricketing hierarchy. His international debut came in March 2025 when he received his first call-up to the New Zealand ODI squad.

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