Ihsanullah Archives

Ihsanullah clarifies emotional comments on cricket future amid backlash

Pakistan’s pacer Ihsanullah has explained his emotional decision to step away from cricket due to a dispute with a teenager.

A few days earlier, the right-arm pacer stated that he would not be playing cricket due to a dispute with his friend.

“I would like to tell one thing about cricket that I will only play cricket when my friend comes back,” Ihsanullah said during an interview with a sports platform.

“I am adamant about this and it’s a challenge for everyone. I will play cricket when my friend returns. I leave the rest to the masses.”

Ihsanullah’s comments were not well received by fans, who expressed their criticism on social media.

Now, the 22-year-old has addressed the online criticism and clarified his remarks in an interview with a sports channel.

“That young guy is my student, and the relation between a teacher and a student is similar to that of a father and son,” Ihsanullah explained.

“His elder brother is my friend and is also like my brother. He guided me a lot and showed me a good path,” he added.

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Ihsanullah also urged the fans to refrain from posting career-threatening posts while apologizing.

“I am seeing the posts on social media which are not good. I apologize and request to not share such posts, which could become dangerous for my career,” he concluded.

For the unversed, Ihsanullah made headlines during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023 after being named as the Player and Bowler of the Tournament.

The bowler, originally hailing from Swat, earned a national call-up later in the year based on stellar performance in the marquee league.

He made his international debut in March 2023 against Afghanistan in the T20 series held at the United Arab Emirates (UAE), followed by an ODI appearance against New Zealand.

However, he was sidelined for a significant period due to a serious elbow injury sustained during a home series against the Black Caps.

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Ali Tareen provides major update on Ihsanullah’s comeback

Multan Sultan’s owner, Ali Tareen, provided a major update on the comeback of fast bowler Ihsanullah ahead of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10.

The right-arm pacer rose to fame in the 2023 edition of the tournament when he bagged 22 wickets for his side.

His outstanding bowling in the PSL 2023 earned him a spot in the national team. He made his T20I debut against Afghanistan in March 2023.

However, Ihsanullah was ruled out of cricket due to an elbow injury he sustained during his ODI debut against New Zealand in April 2023.

The Multan Sultans pacer made a comeback in competitive cricket in December 2024 in the Champions T20 Cup, but could only take two wickets in four matches.

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During a recent podcast, Ali Tareen revealed that he had met Ihsanullah and discussed his return to the PSL.

Tareen stated that Ihsanullah aims to make a comeback by playing domestic cricket.

“Ihsanullah’s plan is to play a full domestic season and make a comeback next year in the PSL,” said Tareen.

“Recently, I met him during a nets session, he is bowling well and will go back to full fitness and will play a season of domestic cricket,” Ali Tareen added.

It is worth noting here that Tareen had claimed that the pacer would never be able to bowl fast again.

The Multan Sultans owner claimed to have consulted with a top surgeon who told them that the previous ‘botched surgery’ would not allow Ihsanullah’s arm to become perfectly straight and bowl fast.

The PSL 10 will begin from Friday, 11 April with defending champions Islamabad United taking on two times champions Lahore Qalandars at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

The six-team tournament will see 34 matches from 11 April to 18 May, with Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium set to host 13 matches, including two Eliminators and the final.

READ: Fans to choose ‘Hamaray Heroes’ for PSL 10

Ali Tareen offers new opportunity to Ihsanullah after PSL 10 snub

Multan Sultans’ owner Ali Tareen has reached out to fast bowler Ihsanullah, who was not picked in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 Draft, and offered a new opportunity to the young pacer.

The emerging pace bowler, who has represented Pakistan in one ODI and four T20Is, sustained an elbow injury following the ODI series against New Zealand in April 2023.

He underwent surgery that same year and remained away from competitive cricket to focus on his rehabilitation.

Ihsanullah recently returned to action during the Champions T20 Cup in December 2024, where he took two wickets in four matches, though his speed was noticeably reduced.

Despite his comeback, he was not picked by his previous team Multan Sultans or any other franchise in the PSL 10 Draft.

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However, Ali Tareen came forward and offered Ihsanullah to represent the Sultans’ departmental team ‘JDW’ in the upcoming President’s Cup Grade Two tournament this season.

The fast bowler will train at the Multan Sultans Academy in Lodhran under the supervision of fast bowling coach, Catherine Dalton with an aim to regain full fitness and form.

Ali Tareen emphasized the importance of the young pacer, saying,

“Ihsanullah is an asset to us and this country. We will provide all possible support to restore his full fitness and form,” said 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.”

Ihsanullah, on the other hand, expressed his profound gratitude to Multan Sultans for extending their support.

“Multan Sultans have always supported me, and I am grateful for their continuous backing,” he said.

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Ali Tareen reveals Ihsanullah may never bowl like before

Ali Jahangir Tareen, the owner of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans, has recently shared heart-breaking news regarding the future of pace bowler Ihsanullah.

The emerging pace bowler, who has represented Pakistan in one ODI and four T20Is, sustained an elbow injury following the ODI series against New Zealand in April 2023.

He underwent surgery that same year and remained away from competitive cricket to focus on his rehabilitation.

Ihsanullah recently returned to action during the Champions T20 Cup in December 2024, where he took two wickets in four matches, though his speed was noticeably reduced.

Ali Tareen, during an appearance at a local podcast, addressed Ihsanullah’s injury and his recent return.

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The Sultans’ owner shared that Ihsanuallah, who used to regularly clock at 150 kph, will never be able to bowl at a similar pace.

“It is an unfortunate development but we got Ihsanullah consulted with a top surgeon, who gave us really bad news,” Tareen revealed.

“The surgeon said that ‘I can do the surgery but no matter what I do, there is so much scaring from his previously botched surgery that his arm will never become perfectly straight and he will never be able to bowl in the same way because he does not have a straight arm’.

“It’s devastating that one person ruined a talented player’s career to hide his mistake.

“He was bowling in domestic at 130-135, which is a high pace but he was our 155 [kmph] bowler.”

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Pakistan pacer names Mohammad Rizwan as his favourite cricketer of all-time

Pakistan pacer Ihsanullah has recently surprised everyone with the revelation that his favourite cricketer is wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan.

Ihsanullah, who has featured for Pakistan in one ODI and four T20Is, suffered an elbow injury and has been away from international cricket since playing for Pakistan in the ODI series against New Zealand at home last year in April.

During a recent appearance at a local podcast, Ihsanullah was initially asked about his favourite player from the Indian cricket team. He responded that he does not have any favourite player in the Indian team.

The host was surprised by this response and asked Ihsanullah if he admired any of the current or former Indian players, mentioning legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Gautam Gambhir, and Yuvraj Singh.

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However, the fast bowler remained firm in his stance and reiterated his previous response, while revealing that his favourite player is Mohammad Rizwan.

“No, I don’t have a favourite Indian player. My favourite player is Mohammad Rizwan, whether current or from the past. He is my favourite player in the world,” said Ihsanullah.

It’s worth noting that Ihsanullah played under Rizwan during his time with Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) before his injury.

He made his debut for the franchise in the 2022 edition of the tournament and has taken 23 wickets in 14 appearances so far.

READ: Virender Sehwag urges Babar Azam to ‘play domestic cricket’ to regain form

Ihsanullah’s father pleads authorities to save his son’s career

Pakistan’s right-arm pacer Ihsanullah’s father Abdul Nasir urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to relocate his son to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore for rehabilitation.

The PCB shared that the right-arm pacer underwent surgery in Lahore in September last year.

Meanwhile, PCB Mohsin Naqvi took notice of Ihsanullah’s injury and rehabilitation process and ordered the medical board to take special care of the young pacer.

It was also decided that the pacer would complete his rehabilitation in his hometown of Swat.

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However, Ihsanullah’s father Abdul Nasir expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision and lamented the lack of facilities in their hometown. He, therefore, requested the PCB to relocate Ihsanullah’s rehabilitation process to NCA.

“Ihsanullah’s care is not properly managed in Swat as it lacks necessary facilities and experienced doctors,” he said.

“I request the PCB to call my son to the NCA in Lahore and keep him there until his treatment is completed so that his career is not compromised.”

Abdul Nasir then went on to express his gratitude to PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi for his kind gesture of arranging necessities for the rehabilitation process in Swat but insisted that his son’s career was at risk.

Ihsanullah’s coach in Lahore Malik Nasir also echoed the pacer’s father’s plea and urged that it is important for the pacer to move to NCA in Lahore just like the other injured players.

READ: Abrar Ahmed released from Pakistan squad for first Bangladesh Test

Independent medical committee submits report on Ihsanullah’s injury to PCB

LAHORE: The independent three-member Medical Committee, comprising Prof. Rana Dilawaiz Nadeem, Dr Mumraiz Naqshband and Prof. Javed Akram, tasked with reviewing the handling of fast bowler Ihsanullah’s right elbow injury and recommending next steps, submitted its detailed report to PCB Chairman Mr Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday.

After a thorough examination of the case history, including all MRI, ultrasound, and related reports, interviews with members of the PCB Medical and Sports Sciences Department and Ihsanullah, and consultations with renowned surgeons and specialists, including Prof. Adam Watts (Consultant Hand, Elbow & Upper Limb Surgeon), Mr Javed Mughal (Director and Lead Physiotherapist, Rainham Physiotherapy Centre), and Dr Mohammad Waseem (Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, Shoulder & Elbow Specialist), the committee has recommended the following:

“Ihsanullah should continue with aggressive physiotherapy and rehabilitation of right elbow and shoulder. Surgery may be the last option if he does not recover in six to 12 months.”

In addition to recommending the treatment plan, the Medical Committee has also identified and highlighted delays in the diagnosis of Ihsanullah’s injury and inappropriate prescription of treatment, as well as non-compliance by the fast bowler with the prescribed rehabilitation plan.

The independent three-member Medical Committee’s conclusion:

“The committee concludes that Ihsanullah’s condition of right elbow pain was not addressed, treated and operated appropriately. There was a delay in reaching the clinical diagnoses and investigations. He did not receive a formal rehabilitation process as required by his condition.

“His surgery was planned hurriedly without any specialist review and preoperative assessment.

“The surgeon recommended by Director of Medical and Sports Sciences was inappropriate, lacking the academics and experience in the field.

“Postoperatively, Mr Ihsanullah was not fully compliant to the rehabilitation protocols as alleged by the PCB officials. He continues to have medial elbow pain along with shoulder dyskinesia. He has significant elbow stiffness for which surgery is not advised currently as per advice of national and international appropriate experts in the specialty shoulder and elbow.

“However, we strongly believe that in view of the talent possessed by Ihsanullah, he be physically assessed on his arrival to Pakistan whereby an appropriate rehabilitation plan be developed in a multidisciplinary fashion, including consideration of hydrodilation and the same be implemented to provide the best chance to the player to live up to his potential again.”

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Furthermore, the Medical Committee also conducted reviews on the cases of Arshad Iqbal, Zeeshan Zameer, and women’s cricketer Shawal Zulfikar.

Regarding Arshad, the committee recommended a two-month rehabilitation programme, while for Zeeshan, the committee suggested the bowler undergoes examination by a foot and ankle specialist. As for Shawal, the committee suggested conducting a CT scan of her right shoulder before proposing any further course of action.

Meanwhile, Dr Sohail Saleem, Director of Medical and Sports Sciences, has tendered his resignation, which has been accepted by the PCB.

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PCB provides update on Ihsanullah’s elbow injury

LAHORE: Pakistan fast bowler Ihsanullah has departed for Manchester, England to see a renowned orthopedic surgeon about his elbow injury, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Sunday.

Ihsanullah, who has featured for Pakistan in one ODI and four T20Is, suffered an elbow injury last year.

The 21-year-old has been out of action since playing for Pakistan in the ODI series against New Zealand at home last year in April.

“Fast bowler Ihsanullah left for Manchester, England, on Sunday morning for his crucial appointment on Monday with esteemed orthopedic surgeon, Professor Adam Watts, regarding his elbow injury,” PCB stated in a press release.

“Professor Watts specialises in hand and wrist surgery, shoulder and elbow procedures, sports injuries, and trauma surgery.

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“Ihsanullah’s franchise, Multan Sultans, has collaborated with the PCB to secure this appointment.

“The PCB, as Ihsanullah’s parent body, will cover all expenses for his treatment and rehabilitation.

“Further updates will be provided by the PCB following Professor Watts’ assessment and diagnosis.”

Notably, the right-arm pacer was bowling in the nets ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine but could not receive the green signal from the medical team and was consequently ruled out of the entirety of the tournament.

Ihsanullah played a pivotal role in Sultans’ run to the final of last year’s edition as he ended up as the second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament, picking up 22 wickets in 13 matches.

READ: Hasan Ali reaches England to feature in County Championship

Multan Sultans announce Ihsanullah’s replacement for PSL 9

Khanewal-hailed off-spinner Ali Majid Shah replaced right-arm speedster Ihsanullah in Multan Sultans’ squad for the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9.

According to the details, the PSL 9 technical committee approved Sultans’ request to replace Ihsanullah with Shah.

Ali Majid Shah has thus far played 17 T20s and picked up 16 wickets with the best bowling figures of 3/27.

Notably, the right-arm pacer has been bowling in the nets but could not receive the green signal from the medical team and was consequently ruled out of the entirety of the ongoing extravaganza.

Ihsanullah played a pivotal role in Sultans’ run to the final of last year’s edition as he ended up as the second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament, picking up 22 wickets in 13 matches.

The Sultans, however, appear unfazed by his absence as they occupy the top spot in the PSL 9 standings with eight points in five matches.

But the 2021 champions face a stiff challenge from Quetta Gladiators, who are second with six points from four matches.

Notably, the Sultans ended the Gladiators’ winning streak on Sunday to maintain their dominance at the top of the table.

The home side, courtesy of Mohammad Rizwan and Reeza Hendricks’ half-centuries registered a formidable total of 180/4 on the board.

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Chasing a mammoth 181, the Gladiators had a slow start and lost Jason Roy in the third over with a mere 16 runs on the board.

Saud Shakeel played an entertaining 24-run knock from 13 balls, which featured four boundaries and one six before David Willey sent him back to the pavilion.

Skipper Rilee Rossouw joined Khawaja Nafay on the crease and powered Quetta Gladiators to make a comeback with a 62-run stand in just 38 balls.

Rossouw played a quick knock of 30 runs from 18 balls which included two sixes and a boundary but fell to Aftab Ibrahim as Khushdil Shah pouches a low catch.

This proved to be the turning point as Multan Sultans’ bowlers picked timely wickets to deny Quetta Gladiators’ comeback.

Nafay played a 36-run knock from 31 balls with the help of two boundaries and as many sixes before perishing in the 15th over with 124 runs on the board.

Sherfane Rutherford smashed two sixes during his cameo of 21 runs from 14 balls, while Akeal Hosein remained unbeaten with 9 off 13.

With 23 needed off the final over, Quetta Gladiators managed only nine runs, finishing with 167-9 as Abrar Ahmed (12) got out on the final ball.

READ: Dussen’s ton in vain as Zalmi deny Qalandars first win in PSL 9

PCB provides an update on Ihsanullah’s injury

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday, provided an update on right-arm pacer Ihsanullah’s injury and rehabilitation progress.

Ihsanullah, who has featured for Pakistan in one ODI and four T20Is, suffered an elbow injury. The 20-year-old has been ruled out from international cricket since playing for Pakistan in the ODI series against New Zealand at home this year in April.

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Meanwhile, the PCB shared that the lanky pacer underwent surgery here in the first week of September and was placed in an elbow brace for four weeks.

“Ihsanullah is on road to recovery after spending 11 weeks in a post-operative care after suffering an elbow injury,” said PCB in a statement.

“Earlier, a doctor was flown in from England to conduct the operation in the first week of September.

“After the operation, the fast-bowler was placed in an elbow brace for four weeks, with a doctor and physio attending him on a daily basis at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore.

The PCB further revealed that the doctors are confident that Ihsanullah will be able to begin functional training after the completion of the 16th week of his recovery.

For the unversed, Ihsaunallah is one of the three injured Pakistan pacers besides Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain.

Hasnain sustained an ankle injury during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) in August and has been out of action since then.

He travelled to England from Sri Lanka and had an MRI. The scans revealed the fast bowler requires rehabilitation for his ankle, which has been under process since 13 September in England

Whereas, Pakistan’s first-choice pacer Naseem Shah, was ruled out of the ICC World Cup 2023 in India due to a shoulder injury, which he sustained during the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2023.

The right-arm pacer is undergoing rehabilitation in England and is expected to attain full fitness in a few weeks.

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