ahsan made his first-class debut for north west frontier province and bahawalpur, playing his only match of the season against the marylebone cricket club in 1955–56. he played three matches for peshawar during 1956–57 with his best bowling figures came against punjab b, taking eight for 76. in the next season, he was more effective with the ball, taking 43 wickets in nine matches. in the same season, he achieved his best bowling figures in first-class cricket, taking eight for 23 against punjab b. during the season, ahsan made his test debut against the west indies at the kensington oval, in the same match in which hanif mohammad scored 337 runs; during the first match of the 1958 series between the teams, ahsan conceded 84 runs in 21 overs without taking a wicket. he played three matches of the series and took five wickets.