NEW DELHI: In the aftermath of India’s dominant Asia Cup campaign, Pakistan pacer Ihsanullah has thrown down the gauntlet to India’s batting sensation Abhishek Sharma. The 25-year-old Punjab-born batter, who amassed 314 runs in seven games at a strike rate approaching 200, has been hailed as the driving force behind India’s continental title. Yet, Ihsanullah, famed for a 152.65 kmph delivery in the 2023 Pakistan Super League, believes he can rattle the world No. 1 batter.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“If I get to play against India, I will dismiss Abhishek Sharma in 3–6 balls,” Ihsanullah declared in a viral video, sparking widespread debate among cricket fans. The fast bowler, who has already represented Pakistan in T20Is and an ODI before an injury interrupted his rise, added, “My 140 (kmph) will feel like 160 to him. He won’t be able to judge them. To left-handers, I bowl inswingers, and he has struggled against such balls — that’s why I am saying. I target the right shoulder of left-handed batters with my bouncers. And my bouncers are very effective.”
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Ihsanullah’s confident pronouncements come as Abhishek Sharma enjoys a meteoric rise. The Sunrisers Hyderabad star has been in sublime form, notching three fifties in the Asia Cup and continuing a prolific T20I season with 593 runs at an average of 49.41 and a strike rate of 208.80 in 12 T20Is. His consistency has drawn praise from cricketing legends.Former West Indies great Brian Lara, who worked with Abhishek during the IPL as a batting coach, said, “He is an amazing young player… something very special. Yuvraj Singh had a big influence on him, his bat speed, the way he hits through the ball… Even though he’s having success in T20 cricket and maybe even the 50-over format, he still wants to break into the Test team, which is great. It’s great to see him improve and go to a different level.”As India prepare for a five-match T20I series in Australia starting October 29, all eyes will be on India’s newest batting sensation.
