Main boxing karu aur khada woh ho saamne: Pakistan's Abrar Ahmed reveals Indian player he wants to punch

Amid growing tensions between the India and Pakistan men’s cricket teams, Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed has drawn attention once again, this time for remarks made off the field. In a recent appearance on a Pakistani YouTube channel, the 27-year-old leg-spinner was asked which cricketer he would choose to face in a boxing ring.

Responding to the question — “Konsa aisa player hai duniya ka jo aap chahate hai ki apke saamne ho aur aap boxing karey, jispe bada gussa aata ho?” — Abrar replied, “Main chahta hu ki main boxing karu aur khada Shikhar Dhawan ho saamne (Which player do you want to want to face in the boxing ring, and you have a lot of anger against? - I want to box and want Shikhar Dhawan in front of me).”

The remark, aimed at former India opener Shikhar Dhawan, quickly went viral after a clip of the interview surfaced online.

Abrar recently featured for Pakistan in the Asia Cup, where India emerged victorious in the final. His comments have drawn added attention in the wake of the intense on-field exchanges and celebrations that accompanied the India-Pakistan clash in Dubai.

The Asia Cup final proved memorable for India, who secured their ninth title with a five-wicket win. Chasing 147, India recovered from 20/3 as Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 69 and Shivam Dube’s 33 guided them home with two balls remaining. Earlier, Pakistan had crumbled from 113/1 to 146 all out, with Kuldeep Yadav’s 4/30 sparking the collapse.

Abrar, who registered figures of 1/29 in his four overs, also grabbed attention for his trademark wicket celebration directed toward India’s dugout after dismissing Sanju Samson. Following India’s win, Arshdeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma, and Harshit Rana were seen imitating the same gesture, with Arshdeep later sharing the clip on social media with the caption “No context.”

While Abrar’s on-field performances have earned him praise, his recent remark has added a fresh twist to the ongoing intensity and emotion surrounding the India-Pakistan rivalry.