The drafts for the tenth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) were made on Monday in Lahore with many big names getting picked by the franchises. After going unsold in the Indian Premier League 2025 auction, the likes of David Warner and Kane Williamson were also roped in for Pakistan’s T20 league. However, a big shock came after sensational Pakistan pacer Ihsanullah was not picked by any team in the PSL draft. Resulting this, the right-arm pacer announced his retirement from the PSL.

Ihsanullah made headlines with his performance in PSL 8, where he took 22 wickets at an economy rate of 7.59 for Multan Sultans. This helped him earn a spot in Pakistan T20I squad made his international debut against Afghanistan in March 2023 and later played in a series against New Zealand. He also made his ODI debut during the same series.

However, his memorable came to an abrupt halt after he suffered an elbow injury. Now, after getting ignored by the teams in PSL 10 draft, Ihsanullah vowed to never play again in the league.

“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. No one has contacted me; you know this world is selfish. When someone else finds another person, they go with them. He [Ali Tareen] used to support my performance and talent,” Ihsanullah told Public News.

Ihsanullah said, “I am boycotting the PSL and retiring. You’ll never see me in the PSL again.”pic.twitter.com/IbF6BlvfHA

— (@CallMeSheri1) January 13, 2025

“If you perform, these franchises will come after you. My goal is to make them chase after me, and I need to perform like that. I’ll bowl at a pace of 150-160, and those who have said I’m a 130-135 bowler, in one and a half months, I’ll show them that I wasn’t the same bowler who played in PSL 8 and got injured. I’ll look much better than that,” he added.

However, in a recent development, the pacer took a u-turn and said that his announcement of PSL retirement was an emotional one.

“There’s no plan for retirement, I announced the decision yesterday in emotions. When I wasn’t picked in the PSL draft, my friends & family also messed with my head and I announced retirement in the heat of the moment,” he was quoted by ARY News.

Pakistan cricket team fast bowler Ihsanullah grabbed the headlines following a sensational comment on India star pacer Jasprit Bumrah. The fast bowler, who has played one ODI and four T20Is for Pakistan, made a massive claim that Naseem Shah is a better bowler than Bumrah. Bumrah has been one of the best bowlers in the recent past and at present, he holds the No. 1 position in the ICC Test bowler’s rankings. The fast bowler has proven his mettle in all three formats and he even won the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award at the T20 World Cup 2024. However, in a recent interaction, Ihsanullah was clear that his Pakistan teammate was a far better bowler in comparison.

“Agar dekha jaaye toh Jasprit Bumrah se acha bowler Naseem Shah hai (If you look at it, Naseem Shah is a better bowler than Jasprit Bumrah).”

Ihsanullah was challenged by the host as he pointed out that Bumrah’s performances have been far better when compared to Naseem. However, the young fast bowler remained steadfast on his stance and said that even Naseem had a great campaign at the 2022 T20 World Cup.

“Naseem Shah bhi aise he perform kar raha tha 2022 T20 World Cup mein. Koi baat nahi, ek saal aisa aata hai koi perform karta hai ya nahi, fir bhi Naseem Shah usse acha hai (Naseem Shah also performed well in the 2022 World Cup. Sometimes players can go through a rough patch for a year, but Naseem is still better).”

Earlier, India skipper Rohit Sharma on Tuesday vindicated Jasprit Bumrah’s promotion as the vice-captain for the three-Test series against New Zealand.

Bumrah’s elevation to vice-captaincy for the Test series, beginning here on Wednesday, came as a bit of surprise as India did not have a deputy to Rohit in the recent series against Bangladesh.

The decision has been viewed as a precursor to Bumrah stepping in as India’s skipper during the tour to Australia.

“Look, Bumrah has played a lot of cricket. I’ve played a lot of cricket with him. He understands the game pretty well. He’s got a good head on his shoulder. When you talk to him, he understands the game,” Rohit told reporters.

“Tactically, I can’t say much because he has not captained much. He was captain in one Test match and a couple of T20s, I guess,” he added.

(With PTI inputs)

File photo of Ihsanullah.© X (formerly Twitter)