SHARJAH: Mohammad Abbas, the Pakistan’ successful Test seamer currently, has shown pride in wearing a green shirt on his One-day International debut while hoping he could take wickets with the white ball as he has done with the red.

The 29-year-old made his limited-overs debut in the first ODI at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday, taking 1-44 in his 10 overs as Australia chased down a target of 281 for the loss of just two wickets.

Abbas grabbed the wicket of Australian captain Aaron Finch, but only after the opener had scored 116.

That was in total contrast to the start of his Test career, after some impressive performances. Abbas made a big impact against Ireland in Malahide last year when he took nine wickets — four for 44 and five for 66 in the sixth match of his career. His heroics led Pakistan to a five-wicket win.

Abbas was again the pick of the bowlers with eight wickets in Pakistan’s win over England at Lord’s. He them completed 50 Test wickets in 10 Tests to become the joint-second fastest to the mark by a Pakistani bowler, one more than wrist-spinner Yasir Shah.

Abbas admitted it was a challenge to bowl with white ball.

“In white ball cricket, you get flat pitches, so you have to adjust your bowling,” Abbas said in an interview. “But, in red ball cricket, you get better pitches. They are helpful, so you can bowl up also for the ball to swing. So, adjustment is the key after you assess the conditions.”

Abbas said ODI cricket is more demanding and there is less margin of error.

“There is less margin of error in white ball cricket. If you err, then you are hit for runs and boundaries,” said Abbas. “I didn’t do much to help my team win, but in the next matches I will do my best to contribute to the wins. It was a typical one-day wicket and suited batsmen,” said Abbas. “I will do my best to take wickets with the new ball. If you don’t get wickets, then the next option is to stop the flow of runs. Once you do that, then batsmen come under pressure and make mistakes.”

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2019