Young Pakistani fast bowling sensation Ihsanullah changed the momentum of the Pakistan Super League final today, putting the brakes on Lahore’s rapid start by taking the wicket of the dangerous Mirza Baig with a rapid, well-directed bouncer.
Baig, 24, almost single-handedly got Lahore off to a flier, racing to 29 off his first 15 balls at the crease while his opening partner Fakhar Zaman struggled for rhythm at the other end. Lahore were 34-0 after their first three overs and then 37-0 at the end of the fourth over where Anwar Ali had Fakhar in all sorts of bother without quite claiming Multan’s first wicket.
Multan captain Mohammad Rizwan then handed the ball to Ihsanullah who instantly caused problems for both openers.
Ihsanullah started with three dot balls to Fakhar twice beating him outside off stump before the left-hander managed to get off strike with a single. Ihsanullah beat Baig for pace first up and then sent down an 89.41 mph bouncer that Baig could only top edge to Khushdil Shah at short third man. Ihsanullah’s first over cost just one run; after three overs Lahore were scoring at 11.33 runs per over, after five overs the scoring rate was down to 7.60.
You can watch Ihsanullah’s wicket of Baig below:
Trademark celebration 🏹
Ihsanullah is pumped! 👊#HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #MSvLQ pic.twitter.com/Cz995gd4Bi
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 18, 2023