Arafat Minhas scripts history with five-wicket haul on ODI debut

RAWALPINDI: All-rounder Arafat Minhas produced a dream debut performance on Saturday, becoming the first Pakistani cricketer to claim a five-wicket haul in his maiden ODI appearance during the series opener against Australia at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The 21-year-old left-arm spinner returned remarkable figures of 5-32 in his allotted 10 overs, helping Pakistan dismiss Australia for 200 in 44.1 overs and rewriting the national record books in the process.

With the performance, Minhas registered the best bowling figures by a Pakistani on ODI debut, surpassing a 41-year-old record previously held by former pacer Zakir Khan, who had taken 4-19 against New Zealand in 1984.

His figures also eclipsed the previous best by a Pakistani spinner on ODI debut, a record held by legendary leg-spinner Abdul Qadir, who claimed 4-21 against New Zealand in 1983.

Best bowling figures on ODI debut for Pakistan

• Arafat Minhas – 5-32 vs Australia, 2026
• Zakir Khan – 4-19 vs New Zealand, 1984
• Abdul Qadir – 4-21 vs New Zealand, 1983
• Abrar Ahmed – 4-33 vs Zimbabwe, 2024
• Sarfaraz Nawaz – 4-46 vs New Zealand, 1973

Minhas made an immediate impact after being introduced into the attack, striking twice in his opening spell. His first breakthrough came with the wicket of Australia captain Josh Inglis before he trapped Marnus Labuschagne leg-before-wicket in the same over.

The young spinner continued to trouble the visitors and removed Cameron Green for a duck in his next over to leave Australia under pressure.

He then claimed the key wicket of opener Matthew Short, who top-scored with 55 from 76 deliveries, before completing his historic five-wicket haul by dismissing Nathan Ellis with the penultimate ball of his spell.

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