India’s latest pace sensation Umran Malik enjoyed a breakout year in 2022. The speedster enjoyed a stellar season in the Indian T20 League for the Hyderabad Franchise, taking 18 wickets in the marquee tournament. His impressive performance in the league led to a maiden national team call-up for the five-match T20I series against South Africa in June. Since then, Umran has represented the country in 8 ODIs and as many games in the game’s shortest format.
Umran broke the record for the fastest delivery by an Indian when he recorded a pace of more than 156kph during the second ODI of the home series against Sri Lanka in January. The right-arm pacer remains integral to Team India’s plans for the future in the limited-overs game. He has earned praise worldwide for his devastating pace and continues to do so.
PSL sensation Ihsanullah is the highest wicket-taker of the tournament
Meanwhile, in the neighbouring country of Pakistan, a 20-year-old sensation is lighting up the domestic stage in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Multan Sultan’s latest find, Ihsanullah, has caught the attention of fans after registering incredible figures of 5/12 in his quota of four overs in the game against Quetta Gladiators.
The speedster recorded paces above 150 kmph in his first game while dismissing the Gladiators’ skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed. After the match, former Pakistan allrounder Abdul Razzaq – who was a part of the selection committee that picked Ihsanullah for the tests against New Zealand – claimed that he has the potential to break the 160kph barrier.
The youngster has now come up with a bold message for his Indian rival, Umran Malik, reacting to Razzaq’s statement. “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.
The youngster is the highest wicket-taker in the PSL 2023, with 12 scalps from four matches thus far.
