Pakistan’s young pace sensation, Ihsanullah, has vowed to make a comeback to cricket, setting his sights on returning to the elite 150 KPH pacer club. In a fiery declaration, the 20-year-old pacer promised to regain his trademark pace despite the setbacks caused by a career-threatening elbow injury.
“It doesn’t matter whether my elbow is straight or not; I will start bowling at 150 KPH in one month,” Ihsanullah stated during an interview published online, exuding confidence as he looks to defy the odds stacked against him.
The announcement has reignited discussions about his potential, while also casting a spotlight on the challenges of recovery and rehabilitation in professional cricket.
The Injury That Halted a Meteoric Rise
Ihsanullah burst onto the scene during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023 season with breathtaking performances for Multan Sultans. Clocking speeds upwards of 150 KPH, he finished the tournament as the second-highest wicket-taker with 22 wickets, earning acclaim as one of the most exciting fast-bowling prospects in Pakistan cricket.
However, his meteoric rise hit a major roadblock during Pakistan’s home ODI series against New Zealand in April 2023, when he suffered an elbow injury. The subsequent surgery and rehabilitation process were marred by complications. Multan Sultans’ owner Ali Jahangir Tareen later revealed that the procedure had been mishandled, leaving Ihsanullah with significant scarring and reduced arm mobility.
The setback was devastating for the young pacer, who was hailed as the future spearhead of Pakistan’s pace attack. His once-feared deliveries, which regularly exceeded 150 KPH, were reduced to the 130-135 KPH range when he returned to domestic cricket at the end of last year.
A Promise to Return Stronger
Despite the challenges, Ihsanullah has remained defiant and optimistic. His recent declaration reflects his determination to return to his best, regardless of the limitations caused by his injury. However, his journey back will be far from easy.
Recovery from an elbow injury, particularly one as serious as Ihsanullah’s, requires precise rehabilitation, careful workload management, and technical adjustments to ensure long-term sustainability.
Ihsanullah, after Ali Tareen's comments on his injury:
"It doesn't matter whether my elbow is straight or not; I will start bowling at 150 KPH in one month." pic.twitter.com/rw49mIiPwl— Hassan Abbasian (@HassanAbbasian) January 10, 2025
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