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Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed made a dream start to his The hundredth career with a fearless shot that left everyone stunned. Playing for Kavya Maran-owned Sunrisers Leeds, Abrar walked in and showed no nerves, hitting a six on the very first ball he faced on Tuesday, July 21.
The stunning hit came in the opening match of The Hundred 2026 between Sunrisers Leeds and MI London at Kennington Oval on Tuesday. Abrar played a brave shot to deny Richard Gleeson a hat-trick during the 100-ball tournament opener in London.
Abrar Ahmed's first-ball six shatters Richard Gleeson's hat-trick dream in The Hundred 2026
Sunrisers Leeds were already in trouble when Abrar Ahmed came out to bat at No. 11. MI London fast bowler Richard Gleeson was bowling brilliantly and had just dismissed captain Zak Crawley and Benny Howell in two back-to-back deliveries. Gleeson was well set for the hat-trick.
With the last batter walking in, most people expected Abrar to defend the next ball and avoid getting out. But the Pakistan spinner surprised everyone. On the very first ball of his The Hundred debut, Abrar moved across his stumps and confidently played a powerful shot over backward square leg.
The ball sailed over the boundary for a flat six, ending Gleeson's hat-trick hopes in spectacular fashion. The crowd erupted after the shot, while Gleeson was left disappointed and even hid his face with his palms after coming so close to a memorable achievement.
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Abrar Ahmed 🤯
— The Hundred (@thehundred) July 21, 2026
That's how you face a hat-trick ball 😮#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/2WUNOle3jN
Abrar's fearless approach gave Sunrisers Leeds fans something to celebrate against MI London. The video of the six has now gone viral on social media, with fans praising Abrar for showing courage and turning his first ball in The Hundred into the memorable one.
However, Sunrisers Leeds had a poor outing as they were bowled out for just 143 runs and the MI London chased down the target in 88 balls with seven wickets in their hands to kick off their The Hundred 2026 campaign with a dominating victory at the Kennington Oval.
Kavya Maran dodges the Abrar Ahmed question!
Earlier, Sunrisers Leeds owner Kavya Maran avoided speaking about the controversy over signing Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed for The Hundred 2026. The signing has created a huge debate in India as Indian-owned franchises stay away from picking Pakistani players in overseas leagues.
During an interview with The Telegraph, Kavya did not answer questions on Abrar Ahmed because of the issue's "political sensitivity." Amid this, The Hundred Format Explained: Rules, 100 Balls, Powerplay, DRS & How It Differs from T20.
Nicholas Pooran tears apart Abrar Ahmed as MI London crush Sunrisers Leeds by 7 wickets
Meanwhile, West Indies’ explosive batter Nicholas Pooran’s breathtaking innings played a key role in MI London’s dominant victory over Sunrisers Leeds in the season opener. The left-hander played an attacking knock of 58 not out from just 22 balls, smashing five sixes and two fours.
Pooran reached his half-century in only 19 balls. MI London captain Sam Curran also played a superb innings, scoring 60 runs from 39 balls with three sixes and five fours. Pooran brutally attacked the Sunrisers Leeds spinner Abrar at the Kennington Oval.
The Pakistan leg-spinner had a tough outing as he gave away 30 runs in the 10 balls he bowled and failed to take a single wicket. Notably, MI London had signed Pooran for £175,000 (around ₹2.25 crore), and he has already started proving why the franchise invested this much in him.
