Mohammad Abbas: “This [10-fer by a pacer in UAE] is a huge honour for me as this is my first 10-fer in Test cricket”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Pakistan pace bowler Mohammad Abbas admitted that taking a 10-wicket haul in the second Test against Australia in Abu Dhabi was a “huge honour for me”.

Abbas carved through the Baggy Greens’ batting line-up in the first and second innings as he took five-fors on both occasions.

With Abbas having led Pakistan to a 373-run win and a 1-0 series win, he was named Man of the Match.

He was also bestowed with the Man of the Series prize for finishing the two-Test series with 17 wickets at an average of 10.58.

“This [10-fer by a pacer in UAE] is a huge honour for me as this is my first 10-fer in Test cricket,” Abbas was quoted as saying by PakPassion. “I wanted to achieve this in England but that did not happen but I wanted to do this as soon as possible.

“I am working hard [for One-Days] and whenever my management or Pakistan team needs my help, I will be available.”

Abbas revealed that he stuck to his strengths throughout the series and added that bowling coach Azhar Mahmood played a role in his success with the ball.

“Regardless of what the pitch or conditions is, my job is to bowl to my strengths,” he said. “I have been man of the series in back-to-back series so I wanted to perform in Dubai/Abu Dhabi the same way as I did in England.

“In team meetings, along with Azhar Mahmood I studies the weak points [of Australians] and that is what I targetted and that is how I was successful.

“I concentrated on the areas [of bowling] and did not veer away from that and that is key to my success.”

When asked who he dedicated his ten-wicket haul to, the 28-year-old said: “These are some great days for me; It was my daughter’s birthday yesterday so I would like to wish her and dedicate this performance to her.”