Jammu & Kashmir express Umran Malik had a sensational year 2022. After creating ripples in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, Malik made his T20I and ODI debuts. Malik’s speed impressed many as he reached high 150s. The speedster even claimed that he will break former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar’s record for fastest delivery. Few weeks later, Pakistan’s 20-year-old player Ihsanullah has claimed that he will bowl faster than Malik.
Ihsanullah made headlines when he took five wickets for just 12 runs against Sarfaraz Ahmed-led Quetta Gladiators. Ihsanullah’s fifer included wickets of Jason Roy, skipper Sarfaraz, Umar Akmal and Iftikhar Ahmed. After Ihsanulla's maiden fifer, former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq said that the pacer is capable of breaking the 160kmph barrier.
“Inshallah, koshish karunga. Umran Malik ne jo 157kph pe ball kiya hai, main koshish karunga uss se upar karunga. Umran Malik se upar karunga, 160 karunga. (God willing, I will try. Umran Malik had recorded 157kph, I will try to break his record. I will be aiming for the 160kph mark),” Ihsanullah said reacting to Razzaq’s remark.
Ihsanullah's fifer helped Multan Sultans bundle out Gladiators for 110 on February 15. He has been in sensational form in PSL 2023 taking 12 wickets from the first four games. He has helped Mohammad Rizwan-led Sultans reach the top of the table as well.
After earning praise from Razzaq, it is likely that Ihsanullah may be in like to make his international debut. Razzaq was a part of the interim selection committee which gave Ihsanullah his maiden Test callup against New Zealand.
Ihsanullah had troubled batters in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. Playing for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he has taken 22 wickets from seven games so far at an average of 28.22 including best bowling figures of 5/70. In the List A format, he has 25 wickets from 11 games at an average of 19.96 including 5/49.
