Pakistan’s tearaway fast bowler Ihsanullah has decided to take back his retirement a few hours after announcing to move away and boycott from PSL completely. The fast bowler revealed that he got carried away with emotions which prompted him to take such a decision.
He made his name through Pakistan Super League 2023 when he caught everyone’s eye with his raw pace and the ability to run through opposition. He played a key role in Multan Sultans’ path to the final.
The fast bowler has the ability to clock speeds of around 150 kph on a consistent basis. However, his career has been hampered by injuries which have affected his career. Recently, he was not picked or contacted by any franchise in the PSL 2025 draft.
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Ihsanullah takes a shocking U-turn from retirement
A few hours after taking retirement, Ihsanullah has decided to take back his decision and confirmed that he will be available for selection. He revealed that he was frustrated after he wasn’t picked by any franchise and took the decision by getting emotional.
“The franchises had not picked me and I was also frustrated with the people’s comments. Friends and family messed with my head. I took the decision (to retire) after I got emotional, otherwise, I wouldn’t have taken such a decision,” Ihsanullah told Geo Super.
The fast bowler vowed to work hard and get stronger before PSL 2025. He aims to be picked by a franchise and wants to perform well in the upcoming season of the Pakistan Super League.
“I will work hard. There are still four months left in the PSL. Hopefully, I will be picked by the people who haven’t selected me. I have no plans of retirement as I took that decision by getting emotional,” the 22-year-old added.
Breaking: 155KPH fast bowler Ihsanullah takes his retirement back. He says he got emotional and he has not retired from PSL. He took his retirement back within 24 hours 🇵🇰🤯🤯🤯pic.twitter.com/11AaIM6pSe
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) January 14, 2025
Why did Ihsanullah retire?
Ihsanullah was earlier not picked by any franchise in the PSL 2025 draft on January 13. After the huge setback, he decided to retire from the PSL but aimed to represent Pakistan by performing in domestic cricket.
“I just don’t want to play franchise cricket anymore. It’s over after today. I completely boycott it and retire from the PSL. I won’t be seen in the PSL again. I want to represent Pakistan by performing in domestic cricket, not by playing in the PSL,” he announced.
At the time he announced his retirement, it was seen as a huge setback for Pakistan cricket. Pakistan quick claimed that the owner of Multan Sultans Ali Tareen didn’t contact him after the unfortunate elbow injury in 2023. By calling him selfish, the young fast bowler hopes to give the franchise owner a perfect response.
Ihsanullah in PSL 2023
Ihsanullah had a breakthrough year in PSL 2023 when he constantly clocked top speeds and emerged as Multan Sultans’s main strike bowler. He picked up 22 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 15.77 and an economy rate of 7.59.
However, he suffered an elbow injury after the season which affected his availability for international cricket. He has also played four T20Is and one ODI for Pakistan. In four T20Is, he has picked up 6 wickets at an average of 18.