Pakistan Test seamer Mohammad Abbas picked up another five-wicket haul during the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match between Lahore Region Whites and Multan Region.
Bowling first at the Murghzar Cricket Ground, Abbas gave Lahore Region Whites a dream start against Multan Region. He reduced them to 3-2 with Multan captain Zain Abbas (0) and his opening partner Waqar Hussain (1) back in the hut. Multan eventually did not recover from the early jolt, as they were bundled out for 164 in 43.4 overs.
Read more: Pakistan youngster continues stellar first-class form with hundreds in consecutive games
Abbas finished with 5-32 from 15.4 overs, securing yet another five-wicket haul with the final wicket of No.11 Kashif Ali (1). Aamir Jamal, meanwhile, played a supporting role with 3-58. Arafat Minhas (45 off 51) offered some resistance from No.8, but it was too little for Multan.
That was Abbas’ second consecutive five-for, having picked up 6-78 against Karachi Blues three days back, his 50th five-wicket haul in the format. Just a day into the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy fifth round, Abbas is now the joint-second-highest leading wicket-taker this season, with 18 wickets at an average of 20.94 and an economy of 2.79. Only Sialkot’s Athar Mahmood (19 wickets at 16.42) has more.
He currently has 825 wickets from 205 first-class matches at an average of 20.66.
After making his Test debut in 2017, Abbas was a regular feature in Pakistan’s Test set-up until 2021, when he fell out of favour and had to wait for more than three years to play another Test. On his comeback Test against South Africa in December 2024, he took 6-54 and later in the series went on to reach 100 Test wickets at an average of 23.18.
That comeback opportunity came after years of hard graft in domestic cricket, especially the County Championship. Out of his 291 wickets in the competition, 180 have come for Hampshire at an absurd average of 19.26. However, with Pakistan losing the series and Abbas averaging 48 in his other three innings, he has been overlooked since then.
Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
