Ali Tareen: “Fast bowlers like Ihsanullah are born once in a generation. He needs protection, and Multan Sultans are committed to assisting the PCB in nurturing and developing world-class talent”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen has called Pakistan speedster Ihsanullah a “once in a generation” fast bowler.
Ihsanullah rose to fame during the 2023 Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he impressed everyone with his bowling speed, which surpassed 150 kph, and wicket-taking ability.
The 22-year-old ended PSL 8 as the second-highest wicket-taker with 22 wickets in 12 matches for the Sultans at an average of 15.77.
Following this, he was added to the Pakistan team and played four T20Is, taking six wickets at an average of 18.
He also made his ODI debut in April 2023 but went wicketless in the match.
Shortly after this, Ihsanullah’s career suffered a huge setback as he was out of action for over a year with elbow and shoulder injuries.
He finally returned during the Champions T20 Cup in December 2024 and picked up two wickets in four matches for the Dolphins at an average of 62.50.
Despite once being seen as the next big thing in Pakistan cricket, the Matta native was not picked by any franchise during the PSL 10 player draft.
This angered him and he unleashed a tirade against all the teams, while also taking shots at Tareen.
Soon after, he apologised for his outburst and Tareen has seemingly forgiven him as he wants Ihsanullah to play for JDW Sugar Mills in the President’s Cup Grade-II competition from April to May 2025.
“Fast bowlers like Ihsanullah are born once in a generation. He needs protection, and Multan Sultans are committed to assisting the PCB in nurturing and developing world-class talent,” Tareen was quoted as saying by Geo Super.
Since Ihsanullah has been away from international cricket for such a long period of time, he was not picked for Pakistan’s recent tours of Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Additionally, he wasn’t selected for the two-Test series against the West Indies in Multan, which concluded as a 1-1 draw.
Pakistan Squad for West Indies Test Series: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha