Former Pakistan fast bowler Ihsanullah, who recently made headlines for announcing his retirement at 22 and reversing the decision within 24 hours, has stirred controversy again with a bold claim about Indian opener Abhishek Sharma.
In a video that has gone viral on social media, Ihsanullah declared that he could dismiss Abhishek Sharma in just three deliveries, despite never having faced him in an international match. “If I play against India and get to bowl to Abhishek Sharma, he will not be able to hit me. I will only need 3 balls to dismiss him easily,” said the Pakistan pacer.
Ihsanullah, who last featured in a T20I back in 2023, has been out of action due to an elbow injury and lack of match practice. His comments come after Sharma’s stellar run in the Asia Cup 2025, where the Indian opener emerged as the tournament’s leading run-scorer, amassing 314 runs from seven matches at an average of 44.85.
Against Pakistan, Abhishek was in exceptional form — smashing 74 runs off 38 balls in the Super Fours clash on September 21, laced with six fours and five sixes. He also scored 31 and 5 in the other two encounters against the arch-rivals.
The Punjab-born batter has since climbed to the top of the ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings, surpassing England’s Dawid Malan’s five-year-old record for the highest-ever rating.
While Ihsanullah’s claim has drawn amusement from fans, many have pointed out that even Pakistan’s senior pacers struggled to contain Abhishek’s explosive form during the Asia Cup.