The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing severe criticism for its handling of young pacer Ihsanullah’s injury, with many accusing the board’s medical team of mismanaging his care Ā¹. Ihsanullah, who rose to prominence in the 2023 PSL season with his impressive pace and finishing second in the top wicket-takers list, suffered an elbow injury in May 2023 during a home series against New Zealand Ā¹.
Mishandling of Injury
The PCB’s medical team initially misdiagnosed the injury, leading to wasted time and ineffective treatments during rehabilitation Ā¹. A subsequent surgery conducted in Lahore proved unsuccessful, exacerbating Ihsanullah’s condition and prolonging his recovery period Ā¹. This has forced Ihsanullah to miss the 50-over World Cup in India in November and casts serious doubts over his chances to play the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies in June Ā¹.
Financial Burden
The Multan Sultans, Ihsanullah’s franchise in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), have been forced to shoulder the financial burden of failed surgeries and misdiagnosis Ā¹. The franchise’s owner, Ali Khan Tareen, revealed that they have been covering all expenses related to Ihsanullah’s treatment abroad, including medical bills and accommodations for him and his family Ā¹.
PCB’s Response
Mohsin Naqvi, chairman of the PCB, expressed his displeasure over the mishandling of Ihsanullah’s injury and hinted at possible repercussions within the board’s medical setup Ā¹. Despite the setbacks, Tareen expressed gratitude for the PCB’s decision to allow Ihsanullah to seek further consultation with a renowned surgeon in the UK Ā¹.
Importance of Proper Medical Care
The saga surrounding Ihsanullah’s injury highlights the importance of proper medical care and management in professional sports in Pakistan Ā¹. This incident comes after the saga of Pakistan’s senior pacer Haris Rauf, who had to seek help for his dislocated shoulder injury from his franchise Lahore Qalandars after the PCB turned its back on him following his refusal to play for Pakistan over mental health concerns Ā¹.