Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed, never one to shy away from the spotlight, has once again stirred up the cricketing world—this time not with his bowling but with a playful, if provocative, off-field comment. During a recent appearance on a popular Pakistani YouTube channel, the 27-year-old leg-spinner was asked a cheeky question: which cricketer would he most like to face in a boxing ring? Without missing a beat, Abrar replied in Hindi, "Main chahta hu ki main boxing karu aur khada Shikhar Dhawan ho saamne," which translates to, "I want to box and want Shikhar Dhawan in front of me."
The remark, originally made during an interview with TV host Sara Baloch back in June 2025, has gone viral in recent days after a clip resurfaced online. The cricketing community, always quick to pick up on the latest banter between India and Pakistan, has been abuzz with reactions. Some fans have taken Abrar’s words as a light-hearted jibe, a bit of friendly ribbing meant to spice up the legendary rivalry. Others, however, have viewed it as an unnecessary provocation, especially in the wake of a tense and ultimately disappointing Asia Cup campaign for Pakistan.
"I’d love to step into the ring and square off against Shikhar Dhawan. I think it’d be a good fight," Abrar said with a smirk, according to the viral video. The comment added fuel to an already heated rivalry, especially after the recent Asia Cup where India bested Pakistan three times, including a nail-biting final in Dubai. The stakes and emotions were high, and Abrar’s playful challenge has only added another layer to the ongoing saga between the two cricketing giants.
Fan reactions to Abrar’s statement have been predictably mixed. Social media lit up with memes, polls, and hot takes. Some supporters defended the spinner, dismissing the comment as harmless banter—just another chapter in the storied India-Pakistan cricket rivalry. Others criticized him for what they saw as crossing a line, particularly given the recent on-field tensions and the passionate celebrations that marked the Asia Cup encounters. As one fan put it, “It’s all fun and games until someone takes it too seriously.”
For context, Abrar’s Asia Cup 2025 performance was, by his own standards, underwhelming. He managed just six wickets in seven games, despite playing on pitches that seemingly favored spin. His most notable on-field moment came during the final, where he dismissed India’s Sanju Samson and celebrated with a gesture directed toward the Indian dugout. The celebration didn’t go unnoticed—after India clinched their ninth Asia Cup title with a five-wicket win, Indian players Arshdeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma, and Harshit Rana were seen mimicking Abrar’s gesture in return. Arshdeep even posted the clip online with the caption, “No context.”
The final itself was a classic. Pakistan, after cruising at 113/1, suffered a dramatic collapse to be bowled out for 146, thanks in large part to Kuldeep Yadav’s inspired spell of 4/30. India, despite stumbling to 20/3 early in their chase, recovered through an unbeaten 69 from Tilak Varma and a steady 33 from Shivam Dube, sealing victory with just two balls to spare. Abrar’s contribution—1/29 in four overs—was overshadowed by the result and the celebrations that followed.
Off the field, Abrar has had a whirlwind few weeks. Just days after the Asia Cup, he tied the knot in a private ceremony in Karachi. The wedding reception, held on October 6, 2025, quickly became a who’s who of Pakistani cricket. Among the attendees were Test captain Shan Masood, fast bowler Shaheen Afridi, all-rounder Fahim Ashraf, and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who also serves as the Asian Cricket Council President. The event’s viral moments—ranging from Abrar warmly greeting his guests to candid shots with his new wife—offered a lighter, more personal glimpse of a player often seen in the heat of sporting battle.
Yet, as one chapter of his life began, another took an unexpected turn. Despite being initially named in Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa, Abrar found himself omitted when the list was trimmed to 16 players. The selectors opted instead for Sajid Khan and Noman Ali as their spin options, citing the need to balance experience with recent form. It’s a tough blow for Abrar, who made his Pakistan Super League debut with Karachi Kings back in 2017 and earned his Test cap against England in 2022. He was expected to rejoin the national squad in Lahore as they prepare for the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle, starting October 12.
The Pakistan squad for the South Africa series, led by Shan Masood, features the return of senior batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan—both rested for the Asia Cup. Their experience will be crucial as Pakistan looks to bounce back from recent disappointments and reassert themselves in red-ball cricket. The squad blends seasoned campaigners with promising youngsters, aiming to strike the right balance for the challenges ahead. The full list includes Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Asif Afridi, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Meanwhile, the drama of the Asia Cup and its aftermath continues to ripple through the cricketing world. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, himself under scrutiny for the trophy presentation fiasco, was a prominent figure at Abrar’s wedding. The episode, where Naqvi was accused of refusing to hand over the Asia Cup trophy to India, has only added to the off-field intrigue that often surrounds subcontinental cricket.
As for Abrar Ahmed, whether his playful challenge to Shikhar Dhawan was a calculated attempt to stoke the flames of rivalry or simply a light-hearted moment taken out of context, it’s clear that he remains a figure capable of grabbing headlines both on and off the pitch. His journey—from a promising leg-spinner debuting in the PSL to a Test cricketer and now a newlywed—continues to fascinate fans and pundits alike.
With the South Africa Test series around the corner and Pakistan eager to turn the page on their Asia Cup disappointment, all eyes will be on the squad’s preparations in Lahore. Whether Abrar finds his way back into the team or remains on the sidelines, one thing is certain: he knows how to keep the cricketing world talking. And as for that boxing match with Shikhar Dhawan? For now, it remains a playful fantasy—one that perfectly captures the spirit, rivalry, and unpredictable drama of India-Pakistan cricket.
