The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has clarified that they will be responsible for arranging all medical care for its players after former captain Shahid Afridi claimed that pacer Shaheen Afridi was paying for his treatment in London for his knee injury out of his own pocket.
Shaheen, who is to-be son-in-law of Shahid Afridi, is reportedly staying in London on his own and has visited a doctor who was recommended by Shahid and is paying for everything and the former captain slammed the PCB for doing nothing.
"He has flown out to the UK on his own ticket, he is staying there on his own money, I arranged a doctor for him there, he contacted him there, the PCB is not doing anything in all this. As far as I know he is doing everything about staying there and coordinating with doctors," Afridi told Pakistan's Samaa TV.
However, the PCB on Thursday put out a statement clarifying that the board will always be responsible for arranging medical care for all their players.
"The PCB is also pleased to advise and update that Shaheen Shah Afridi is making excellent progress in his rehabilitation in London and is on track to make a full recovery in time for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Australia 2022.
It goes without saying that the PCB has always been and will continue to be responsible for arranging medical care and rehabilitation of all its players requiring any treatment,” the PCB said in an official statement.
PCB also gave an update on the medical condition of opener Fakhar Zaman as well. Both Shaheen and Fakhar have been named in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2022 squad with Shaheen in the main 15-member squad and Fakhar in reserves.
"Fakhar Zaman will depart for London on Friday to undergo rehabilitation. Fakhar had landed awkwardly on his right knee while fielding during the ACC T20 Asia Cup final in Dubai. As per the protocols, the PCB has scheduled his medical appointments with specialists who will be providing the best medical care for his rehabilitation," stated the board.
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"During his stay in London, the PCB will make all relevant logistical arrangements for Fakhar and he will remain under the supervision of the PCB Advisory Panel, which includes Dr Imtiaz Ahmad and Dr Zafar Iqbal, who are also treating Shaheen Shah Afridi," it added.
Pakistan T20 World Cup 2022 squad:
Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Usman Qadir
Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris, Shahnawaz Dahani
(NDTV/PCB inputs)
