Watch: Ihsanullah takes two wickets in first three balls for Pakistan, gives Mohammad Nabi a handshake after block down the pitch

Watch: Ihsanullah took two wickets in three balls today (March 24) in a blistering opening over on Pakistan debut, earning a handshake from Mohammad Nabi.

The 2023 Pakistan Super League fast-bowling sensation claimed a wicket with his very first ball in international cricket against Afghanistan. Bowling to Ibrahim Zadran first up, he pitched the ball on an awkward short length which Zadran skied into the air. Azam Khan ran back from behind the stumps as the ball flew high, safely claiming the catch on the edge of the circle.

Gulbadin Naib now at the crease, he played out a dot from Ihsanullah’s next delivery – punching the ball away towards cover but unable to get off strike.

Bringing his length back again with his next delivery, however, Ihsanullah doubled his international wicket tally. Bowling outside off this time, Gulbadin tried to pull the delivery into the legside but didn’t get enough bat on it. Once again the ball went high into the air with Mohammad Haris running in from the backward point region to take the catch.

As Gulbadin walked off, Ihsanullah posed in his trademark bow and arrow celebration down on one knee before his teammates surrounded him. The 20-year-old joined an exclusive club of those who have taken a wicket with their first ball of men’s T20I cricket. He is the 24th player to do so, the list also includes the likes of Lockie Ferguson and even Virat Kohli.

Mohammad Nabi managed to see out a dot of his first delivery from Ihsanullah which hit him on the gloves before also keeping out his next ball. Nabi punched the short-of-a-length delivery back towards the bowler, with Ihsanullah fielding it in his follow-through. Carrying on down the pitch, Ihsanullah went towards Nabi who put his hand to shake with the fast bowler. The final ball of the over went for two to deny Ihsanullah a double-wicket maiden in his first over.

The young quick didn’t have things entirely his way, however. He didn’t take a wicket in the three overs following his first and was hit for a six by Nabi to finish the game, giving Afghanistan their first T20I victory over Pakistan.