Pakistan fast bowler Ihsanullah shared the complete story of his injury ordeal following his exclusion from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) draft, which led to an emotional announcement of retirement. Although he later retracted his decision, the cricketer for the first time elaborated on his struggles during a conversation on Samaa TV programme “Zor Ka Jor.”
Talking about his recovery, Ihsanullah said, “Insha’Allah, I will be fit within four months. With the National T20, Sindh Premier League, and KPL ahead, I will perform in these leagues in such a way that all franchises will recognize me as the same Ihsanullah, with no change.”
The fast bowler detailed his ordeal, recounting how his troubles began during the PSL when he had no restrictions and trained intensely. He was selected for the Afghanistan series, where, according to him, “We didn’t even get a masseur. On the wickets in Sharjah, I exhausted myself. Upon returning, I informed PCB officials that I needed a masseur as my elbow and shoulder were extremely fatigued.”
Ihsanullah revealed that after the Afghanistan series, he returned home but was soon selected for the New Zealand ODI and T20 series.
“In the New Zealand series, I bowled well on the first day of the camp. However, on the second day, after delivering the third ball, I felt pain in the inner part of my elbow,” he recalled. Despite undergoing an MRI, the fracture in the bone went undetected.
The pacer mentioned that he was told the MRI results showed no issues. However, when he attempted weight training, the pain persisted, and his hand neither straightened nor bent properly.
“I am grateful to Dr. Sohail, who said, ‘Ihsan, son, there is definitely something wrong here. Seven weeks have passed, and it is still not bending.’ A CT scan later revealed that a bone fragment was indeed broken,” Ihsanullah stated.
According to him, the surgery in Lahore involved fixing a screw in the bone, but the rehabilitation process was challenging.
Even swimming exercises did not improve his condition. When he was considered for the PSL, Dr. Javed Mughal expressed concerns about his inability to straighten his elbow, deeming him unfit to play.
Ihsanullah revealed that Ali Tareen facilitated his treatment in England. “In England, the doctor informed me that loosening the screw during surgery would not fully straighten the arm, leaving a five-degree bend,” he explained.
“Without surgery, he managed to reduce my arm’s bend from 18 degrees to five degrees within just 11 weeks,” Ihsanullah concluded.
