Match Preview: Somerset v Hampshire Men, Rothesay County Championship
Hampshire Men travel to Taunton to face third-placed Somerset in the penultimate round of the Rothesay County Championship
Muhammad Abbas is a right-arm medium-fast bowler and right-handed batter.
He was born in Punjab, Pakistan and has represented his country at both Test and ODI level.
Abbas quickly became one of the world’s best Test bowlers after making his international debut in 2017, with 90 wickets to his name at an exceptional average of 23.02 in just 25 appearances which saw him rise as high as third in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings in October 2018.
After impressing Pakistan’s national selectors through sustained domestic success in 2015 and 2016, Abbas burst onto the international scene four years ago, claiming his maiden Test wicket two deliveries into his debut against West Indies, before going on to record his first five-wicket haul in just his third Test appearance.
An incredible 2018 saw the right-armer continue his meteoric rise, claiming 50 Test wickets in his first 10 Tests – becoming the fastest pace bowler to reach 50 Test wickets for Pakistan – as he was named PCB Test Player of the Year.
Further success followed in 2019 with Abbas continuing to be an integral part of Pakistan’s attack during series against South Africa, Australia and Sri Lanka, before featuring in all three behind-closed-doors Tests during their tour of England in 2020.
Abbas was first introduced to English domestic cricket throughout two seasons at Leicestershire in 2018 and 2019, where he showcased his ability to lead the Foxes’ attack. He returned 79 wickets at an average of just 20.67 – including five five-wicket hauls – in 19 County Championship fixtures with the side.
The overseas international first joined Hampshire in 2021. In his ten County Championship matches, Abbas took 41 wickets at an average of 15.87. He also produced five-wicket hauls on three occasions throughout the season - including his season's best figures of 6/11 against Middlesex.
He has continued to star in the attack, alongside Kyle Abbott and Keith Barker, in 2022 and 2023, taking 50 and 53 wickets respectively.
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Hampshire Men travel to Taunton to face third-placed Somerset in the penultimate round of the Rothesay County Championship
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