After being snubbed in the 10th PSL draft, in a press conference held by Ihsanullah, the Pakistan cricket fraternity was stunned when he announced his retirement from PSL. According to him, the 22-year-old would not be participating in the PSL, as he was disheartened since he did not receive recognition despite some highly impressive performances.
Ihsanullah was disappointed at not being part of the January 13 draft and expressed his feelings in the Public News interview. He made clear that it was not due to any emotional reaction but came after reflection as a planned next step.
With his retirement from the PSL, Ihsanullah looks forward to staying connected to cricket only to represent Pakistan in domestic cricket. “I have decided to retire from the PSL. I don’t want to play franchise cricket anymore as now I want to represent my country without having to depend on exposure of the PSL,” he declared.
Ihsanullah, who impressed with 22 wickets at an economy of 7.59 in PSL 8 for Multan Sultans, quickly earned a spot in Pakistan’s T20I squad, debuting against Afghanistan in March 2023 and later playing against New Zealand. He also made his ODI debut in the same series, but an elbow injury abruptly halted his progress.
“Despite all my good performances, it seems unfair as nothing happened. Not even a single franchise contacted me. Maybe it should be like that if you perform, the franchises have to come after you, but no one did reach me,” he said.
Indeed, the speedster vouched to teach those doubting his abilities. “I will take my vindictors around the grounds, as my speeds will be around 150 to 160 km/h. Up against doubts about my pace—130 to 135 km/h during HBL PSL 8-and-if I toss the red cherry in about a month and a half from now, he will appear to be better than anybody so far played in the PSL before he got unwell due to bad behavior.”
There were further accusations from Ihsanullah against some words from Ali Tareen, owner of Multan Sultans. He expressed disbelief at the ability of the young fast-bowler to come back to what he was before the elbow cleanup: surgery.
“I am very sorry,” Tareen said, “it doesn’t matter what I do, because of his extremely off-handed elbow surgery that has caused so many scars, making his arm bend headed towards his chest and not ever get on a straight in life to a proper position.” He won’t ever come back to be able to bowl in the same way.
For the scathing attack he had from an outside perspective on his comments, Ihsanullah frowned at the utter lack of solidarity from the cricketing fraternity.
“It’s a different type of world-an egoistic, nasty world. Very briefly, I’ve become aware that loyalty and support are rare in this field.”
The mismanagement of his recovery also involves major points of controversy, including the resignation of the national medical officer on an independent probe. But still overcoming setbacks, cricket sought retaliation against him during the Champion T20 Cup, where he claimed two victims in four matches.
