Iftikhar Ahmed has departed for Bangladesh, where he will be representing his side Fortune Barishal in the Bangladesh Premier League 2023.
Iftikhar, recently popular as Ifti Mania, was exceptional for Quetta Gladiators in the exhibition match against Peshawar Zalmi at the Bugti Stadium in Quetta on Sunday.
Iftikhar hit Wahab for six sixes in the final over of the innings of the exhibition match. The right-hander scored an unbeaten 94 runs in 50 balls.
After helping his side win the exhibition match, the middle-order batter departed to Bangladesh.
Before he departed from Dubai, the batter took to Twitter and said he hopes to continue the momentum for Barishal.
He also thanked the people of Quetta "for the love and respect".
It should be mentioned here that the home side beat Peshawar Zalmi by three runs, thanks to an exceptional batting display by Iftikhar Ahmed and some fine bowling by the bowlers during exhibition match.
Put to bat first, the Gladiators posted a competitive 184 runs on the scoreboard before restricting the Yellow Storm to 181 runs.
Meanwhile, the eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) is scheduled to kick off in Multan on February 13 when Multan Sultans take on defending champions Lahore Qalandars in the first clash after an opening ceremony.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) allowed its players to participate in the ongoing BPL till February 8, according to sources.
The board's decision was only applicable to players who were not part of the exhibition match between Zalmi and the Gladiators.
However, Iftikhar returned to Pakistan for the match and has now left to play in the BPL after the exhibition match.
Ifitikhar's Fortune Barishal will clash with Comilla Victorians at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium on Tuesday.
- Iftikhar Ahmed