Ali Khan Tareen, the owner of Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans, has made a shocking claim about the future of Pakistan pacer Ihsanullah, suggesting that the bowler may never bowl at his previous speed again due to complications following a botched surgery.
Ihsanullah, who made an impressive debut during the PSL 2023 season with Multan Sultans, emerged as one of the brightest young fast bowlers in Pakistan.
He finished the season as the second-highest wicket-taker with 22 wickets, showcasing his ability to regularly hit speeds of 150 km/h, a feat that caught the attention of selectors.
His remarkable PSL form earned him a spot in the national team, and he made his T20I debut against Afghanistan in March 2023. However, an elbow injury sustained during his ODI debut against New Zealand in April 2023 halted his momentum.
After a prolonged recovery, Ihsanullah returned to competitive cricket in December 2024, playing for the Dolphins in the Champions T20 Cup.
Unfortunately, his comeback was not as successful as expected, as he took just two wickets in four matches, with a high average and economy rate of 62.5 and 11.19, respectively.
In a recent interview, Tareen explained that the pacer's decline in pace and performance may be attributed to a botched surgery he underwent.
“We consulted a top surgeon, who delivered the unfortunate news that, despite the surgery, there was significant scarring on Ihsanullah's arm,” said Tareen. “His arm will never be perfectly straight, and this will prevent him from bowling the same way he once did."
Tareen expressed disappointment over how the botched procedure impacted the bowler’s career, lamenting that a single mistake from an individual has potentially ruined Ihsanullah's future in fast bowling.
"Even now, he is bowling in domestic cricket at speeds of 130-135 km/h, which is still fast but nowhere near the 155 km/h he once bowled at," Tareen added.
Ihsanullah's career, which saw him represent Pakistan in one ODI and four T20Is, has now been overshadowed by the injury setbacks and the subsequent complications from his surgery.
