Ihsanullah continues ascent as he sparkles in Pakistan’s consolation win over Afghanistan

Ihsanullah ensured Pakistan’s Sharjah experiment was not wasted as he helped them to a consolation win against Afghanistan on Monday.

Pakistan blooded a number of new young prospects in the three-game T20 international series. Their inexperience showed as Afghanistan sealed the series with relative ease, with back-to-back wins in the opening two nights.

Fast bowler Ihsanullah emerged with his reputation enhanced, though. The 20-year-old fast-bowler from the Swat Valley had already announced himself to the wider public with a string of fine displays at the Pakistan Super League.

Having been handed his first cap, he thrived, bowling with the sort of hostility which has historically proved difficult on the low wickets of Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

In the final game of the series, he was fearsome. He bowled Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Afghanistan’s free-scoring opener, before pursuing a short-ball gameplan when he returned later in Pakistan’s defence of 183.

He forced Najibullah Zadran off the field when he struck him on the chin with a bouncer. With the next delivery, he bounced out Karim Janat.

The majority of runs he did concede came via top edges past the wicketkeeper, as the batters struggled to cope with the trajectory of his bouncers – until Rashid Khan managed to get him over the stand at square leg for a 90 metre six.

Finally, he accounted for Fareed Ahmad, as he finished with figures of three for 29.

His captain, Shadab Khan, was less spectacular to watch, but still led from the front with his leg spin. He took three for 14 from four overs, as Afghanistan managed just 116 before being both out with eight balls left unused.

A series whitewash proved beyond the Afghans, but they had achieved their aim a night earlier when they