Multan Sultan’s star bowler Ihsanullah has left Pakistan for the UK for further medical treatment. As we all know, he has been rehabilitating from a long-term elbow injury. So, now he decided to seek better treatment to recover faster.
If we flashback to how he got injured: Ihsanullah sustained an elbow injury in April 2023 following a white-ball series against New Zealand.
At the time, the PCB did not believe the injury was severe. The initial treatment, which involved gym and weight work, potentially played a part in making the injury a more serious one.
PCB’s Response to Ihsanullah’s Treatment
There were almost no official updates on Ihsanullah in the following year but his case received widespread media attention earlier this month when Multan Sultans owner Ali Tareen accused the PCB of failing to provide appropriate treatment to the player. He said the franchise had already borne a significant chunk of his expenses.
The PCB’s chief medical officer Dr Sohail Saleem defended himself and the PCB in an interview with ESPNcricinfo, denying mishandling the case. However, he did admit to a “delay in the proper diagnosis,” one that is widely believed to have exacerbated the injury.
The PCB said the appointment with the UK-based orthopedic surgeon Dr. Adam Watts was secured after collaborating with the Multan Sultans for Ihsanullah’s treatment. Further updates would follow after Watts’ assessment and diagnosis.
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Wider Implications & Past Incidents
In the last two years, besides Ihsanullah’s case, multiple Pakistan fast bowlers have suffered lengthy injury layoffs. In July 2022, Shaheen Shah Afridi suffered a knee ligament injury that was also initially undiagnosed.
He attended camps and traveled with the team for a month before flying to the UK while paying for himself and staying in a two-star hotel as he sought independent treatment. It was only after Shahid Afridi complained publicly that the PCB said they would cover all of Shaheen’s expenses.
Naseem Shah was known to be managing back and shoulder complaints that caused him discomfort in the build-up to his right shoulder injury. This happened two months after Afridi was injured, and caused Naseem a six-month lay-off. Hence, he also missed the 2023 ODI World Cup and the Australia tour that followed.
Mohammad Hasnain only recently returned from a long injury lay-off, while Khurram Shahzad was ruled out with a long-term injury following his Test debut in Perth last year.
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Zartash Zulfiqar is a passionate cricket writer with a love for cricket that shines through in every word. From match analyses to player profiles, she delivers insightful commentary that resonates with fans worldwide. Stay tuned for the latest from the world of cricket, brought to you by Zartash.
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