• Home
  • Cricket News
  • Pak Pacer Ihsanullah Joins Noakhali Express For Bpl 2025 26 After Psl Snub

PAK pacer Ihsanullah joins Noakhali Express for BPL 2025-26 after PSL controversy

Soumyajit Dutta

Ihsanullah joins Noakhali Express camp [Source: PCB]Ihsanullah joins Noakhali Express camp [Source: PCB]

Pakistan’s emerging fast bowler Ihsanullah has joined the Noakhali Express squad ahead of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2025-26. The tournament is set to commence on December 26 and conclude on January 23.

Amidst coaching chaos in the camp, the new franchise announced the signing officially on social media, sharing a picture of the 23-year-old right-arm pacer, who had a controversial year on reversing his retirement from PSL after missing out on the player draft.

Ihsanullah is anticipated to make his BPL debut on Friday when the Express face the Chattogram Royals at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Ihsanullah ready to add to Noakhali's pace options

Ihsanullah, who has represented Pakistan internationally, was secured for $28,000 in Category C for foreign players, making him the highest bid amongst Pakistani participants in the auction.

"Ihsanullah has come with the fire bullets," the Express captioned their social media post.

Noakhali Express' post on Instagram [Source: @noakhali_expressofficial/Instagram]Noakhali Express' post on Instagram [Source: @noakhali_expressofficial/Instagram]

Previously signed by Rangpur Riders without playing a match, Ihsanullah is one of 15 Pakistani cricketers recruited for this BPL edition. Eleven were signed directly, while four, including Ihsanullah, were bought at the players' auction held in Dhaka on November 30.

Impact of Ihsanullah on Noakhali's squad

Ihsanullah has had limited opportunities at the international level, having played just one ODI and four T20Is for Pakistan. However, his impact on the field has been significant with his 155 kph+ deliveries.

In first-class cricket, he has picked up 22 wickets from seven matches. In List A cricket, he boasts 25 scalps from 12 games, while in overall T20 cricket, he has claimed 42 wickets from 31 matches.

In league cricket as well, particularly in the Pakistan Super League, Ihsanullah has impressed with 23 wickets from 14 matches at an economy rate of 7.55 and a strike rate of 12.7.

Despite his limited exposure, Ihsanullah is regarded as a genuine strike bowler, and Noakhali Express will be keen to capitalise on his pace alongside Hasan Mahmud, Mehndi Hasan Rana, and Rejaur Rehman Raja to bolster their bowling attack.

Apart from Ihsanullah, Pakistan’s young sensation Maaz Sadaqat has also joined the squad and linked up with the training camp. Foreign stars such as Johnson Charles and Kusal Mendis, along with Haider Ali, add further quality to the Noakhali Express squad ahead of their inaugural match.