Pakistan cricket and express paced fast bowlers, a match made in heaven. Often a cliché statement, in this instance it is very literal, considering the latest to join the rich fast bowling lineage is Ihsanullah, the boy from the stunning Swat valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Heading North from Islamabad, opens up a heavenly gateway of breathtaking natural sceneries. Swat Valley, often classed as the ‘Switzerland’ of Pakistan, is indeed a glimpse of paradise. A picturesque destination encapsulating the beautiful bounties of this world all together. Its pearl white, lush snow-capped icy mountains, majestic natural landscapes, high waterfalls, dazzling lakes and glaciers. The beautiful fresh ice cold breeze rising from the river Swat, would awaken the most dazed of senses and it completes the utterly jaw dropping setting.
It is here, Ihsanullah was born and learnt his trait as a supreme fast bowler. He comes from a very humble background, it is poignant that he unfortunately lost his house in the devastating 2022 floods which affected millions, his story is a true example of starting from scratch.
In 2017, he played in PCB's Under-16 tournament representing FATA and was the second-leading wicket-taker for the region with 12 wickets. He was subsequently selected to play in the U-16 Pentangular T20 Cup in 2018 but soon fell off the radar. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) picked him to play three-day cricket in 2021.
Tall, lanky, strong and naturally gifted, the 20 year old was given his chance to showcase his credentials at the Kamyab Jawan Sports Drive, a talent programme by former Prime Minister Imran Khan in collaboration with Lahore Qalandars' player development programme. He excelled and Multan managed to get him registered in the PSL 2022 draft, albeit he only bowled one over in that edition due to injury.
He has played only 7 First-Class, 11 One-Day and 11 T20 games but has left a significant impression with striking figures in all three, averaging 28, 19 and 12 respectively. He is the highest wicket-taker for KP in the First-Class Quaid-e-Azam trophy in the 2022-23 season with 22 wickets.
He was also the second highest wicket-taker in the Pakistan ODI Cup for 2022-23 with 25 wickets. This incredible fast bowling ability is coupled with economy, Ihsanullah, dare we say it, is the complete package, time will tell of course. A proper fast bowler.
Ihsanullah carried this supreme form into PSL 2023 and set the tournament alight on Wednesday as he bowled a devastating spell against Quetta Gladiators. The youngster picked up terrific figures of 5-12 in a merciless four over spell causing havoc in Multan, clocking speeds of over 150kph and bowling in the 140kph range throughout this fearsome spell.
In fact, Ihsanullah's was the fastest completed spell in the history of the tournament. According to CricViz, the average speed of his spell was 144.37kph, which is the fastest ever in PSL history, beating the likes of big name players such as Shaheen, Rauf, Naseem, Wahab and Hasnain. It is a ridiculously astonishing achievement considering his raw background and lack of experience. His unique ‘Archery’ celebration characterising the person, wanting to be known for hitting the bullseye at ridiculous speeds.
The next game he picked up Babar Azam, perhaps the most prized wicket in world cricket, a searing Yorker which crashed into Babar’s back leg. Ihsanullah went into Sajdah when the decision was revealed, epitomising his humbleness and the heartfelt gratitude of not only claiming the prized scalp, but a story of how far he had come, from the street cricket days of the winding swat valley to claiming the National Captain and one of the finest players in International Cricket. Ihsanullah had arrived, and has certainly made his mark.
We are only 3 games into Multan’s PSL and Ihsanullah already has 10 wickets, a plethora of anticipation, opportunity, edge of the seat moments and excitement awaits, and boy we are here to witness it.
Ihsanullah has expressed his desire to play for Pakistan at the next World Cup and it would be a beautiful story. The game of cricket once again, providing a platform of hope in times of desperate needs. Where this is hope, there is purpose and there is a world of opportunity for Ihsanullah, to revitalise his life and bring joy to the people of his home town, in Swat, as well as the beautiful nation of Pakistan as a whole.
Heading North from Islamabad, opens up a heavenly gateway of breathtaking natural sceneries. Swat Valley, often classed as the ‘Switzerland’ of Pakistan, is indeed a glimpse of paradise. A picturesque destination encapsulating the beautiful bounties of this world all together. Its pearl white, lush snow-capped icy mountains, majestic natural landscapes, high waterfalls, dazzling lakes and glaciers. The beautiful fresh ice cold breeze rising from the river Swat, would awaken the most dazed of senses and it completes the utterly jaw dropping setting.
It is here, Ihsanullah was born and learnt his trait as a supreme fast bowler. He comes from a very humble background, it is poignant that he unfortunately lost his house in the devastating 2022 floods which affected millions, his story is a true example of starting from scratch.
In 2017, he played in PCB's Under-16 tournament representing FATA and was the second-leading wicket-taker for the region with 12 wickets. He was subsequently selected to play in the U-16 Pentangular T20 Cup in 2018 but soon fell off the radar. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) picked him to play three-day cricket in 2021.
Tall, lanky, strong and naturally gifted, the 20 year old was given his chance to showcase his credentials at the Kamyab Jawan Sports Drive, a talent programme by former Prime Minister Imran Khan in collaboration with Lahore Qalandars' player development programme. He excelled and Multan managed to get him registered in the PSL 2022 draft, albeit he only bowled one over in that edition due to injury.
He has played only 7 First-Class, 11 One-Day and 11 T20 games but has left a significant impression with striking figures in all three, averaging 28, 19 and 12 respectively. He is the highest wicket-taker for KP in the First-Class Quaid-e-Azam trophy in the 2022-23 season with 22 wickets.
He was also the second highest wicket-taker in the Pakistan ODI Cup for 2022-23 with 25 wickets. This incredible fast bowling ability is coupled with economy, Ihsanullah, dare we say it, is the complete package, time will tell of course. A proper fast bowler.
Ihsanullah carried this supreme form into PSL 2023 and set the tournament alight on Wednesday as he bowled a devastating spell against Quetta Gladiators. The youngster picked up terrific figures of 5-12 in a merciless four over spell causing havoc in Multan, clocking speeds of over 150kph and bowling in the 140kph range throughout this fearsome spell.
In fact, Ihsanullah's was the fastest completed spell in the history of the tournament. According to CricViz, the average speed of his spell was 144.37kph, which is the fastest ever in PSL history, beating the likes of big name players such as Shaheen, Rauf, Naseem, Wahab and Hasnain. It is a ridiculously astonishing achievement considering his raw background and lack of experience. His unique ‘Archery’ celebration characterising the person, wanting to be known for hitting the bullseye at ridiculous speeds.
The next game he picked up Babar Azam, perhaps the most prized wicket in world cricket, a searing Yorker which crashed into Babar’s back leg. Ihsanullah went into Sajdah when the decision was revealed, epitomising his humbleness and the heartfelt gratitude of not only claiming the prized scalp, but a story of how far he had come, from the street cricket days of the winding swat valley to claiming the National Captain and one of the finest players in International Cricket. Ihsanullah had arrived, and has certainly made his mark.
We are only 3 games into Multan’s PSL and Ihsanullah already has 10 wickets, a plethora of anticipation, opportunity, edge of the seat moments and excitement awaits, and boy we are here to witness it.
Ihsanullah has expressed his desire to play for Pakistan at the next World Cup and it would be a beautiful story. The game of cricket once again, providing a platform of hope in times of desperate needs. Where this is hope, there is purpose and there is a world of opportunity for Ihsanullah, to revitalise his life and bring joy to the people of his home town, in Swat, as well as the beautiful nation of Pakistan as a whole.
