On March 29, 2025, Muhammad Arslan Abbas made a sensational One Day International (ODI) debut for New Zealand against Pakistan at McLean Park in Napier. Batting at number six, Abbas scored a rapid 52 runs off just 26 balls, reaching his half-century in a record-breaking 24 deliveries. This feat set a new benchmark for the fastest fifty on ODI debut, surpassing the previous record held by India’s Krunal Pandya and West Indies’ Alick Athanaze, both of whom achieved their fifties in 26 balls.
Abbas’s aggressive innings included three fours and three sixes, contributing significantly to New Zealand’s formidable total of 344/9. Earlier in the innings, Mark Chapman scored a remarkable 132, and Daryl Mitchell added 76 runs, with Abbas’s late surge bolstering the team’s position.
Born on November 29, 2003, in Lahore, Pakistan, Abbas moved to New Zealand with his family when he was one year old. His father, Azhar Abbas, a former first-class cricketer in Pakistan, played domestically for teams like Peshawar and Pakistan Railways before continuing his career in New Zealand with Wellington and Auckland. Azhar Abbas currently serves as the assistant coach for the Wellington Firebirds.
Abbas’s cricketing journey in New Zealand has been noteworthy. He made his first-class debut for Wellington against Otago on February 25, 2023, and was awarded a contract with Wellington in July 2023. His impressive performances in domestic cricket, including a maiden List A century of 104 against the Central Stags in February 2025, led to his selection for the New Zealand A team and subsequently the national squad.
His record-breaking debut against his country of birth not only underscores his talent but also highlights the depth and potential he brings to New Zealand cricket.
