Pakistan Cricket Chief Ramiz Raja: “Missing clarity may have contributed to the Shaheen debate.”

According to Pakistan cricket chief Ramiz Raja, the sudden nature of Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi’s departure from Dubai to England during the Asia Cup may have resulted in “missing clearness” between the player and the country’s cricket board, leading to the current revelation involving both parties.

On August 29, a day after Pakistan began their Asia Cup campaign in Dubai, Shaheen was transported to London for “uninterrupted, devoted knee expert care” for an injury sustained during the national team’s July visit to Sri Lanka.

The initial idea of the coaching team was to keep him with the squad throughout the tournament and the prior One-day International series against the Netherlands.

The issue erupted on Thursday when Shaheen’s father-in-law, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, claimed the left-armer was paying for his stay and treatment in London.

“Shaheen Afridi went to England on his own, he even paid for his own trip,” Afridi told local media. “Shaheen is paying for his own stay in England,” he added.

Afridi further claimed he “booked a doctor” for Shaheen in the UK, and that the PCB was “offering nothing for Shaheen.”

According to PCB chairman Ramiz, “Shaheen going to Dubai in a haste” might have caused uncertainty over the subject.

“There could be some missing information because Shaheen had to leave for Dubai in a hurry, perhaps there was a ticketing issue,” Ramiz remarked on Friday during an online chat with followers.

“He didn’t like the spot where he was supposed to stay, so he moved somewhere else,” said the former Pakistan Test captain.

Ramiz expressed disappointment at the controversy sparked by Afridi’s comments, emphasising that the PCB would never “disown” a player of Shaheen’s calibre.

“How can anybody believe that someone will disavow Shaheen Shah Afridi, let alone his parent body?” he exclaimed.

“This can never happen, it defies logic, and the ensuing discussion is sad.”

When wicket-keeper/batsman Mohammad Rizwan was hospitalised ahead of last year’s T20 World Cup semi-final against Australia, the PCB’s doctor’s panel responded.

“Who looked after Rizwan when he became unwell during the T20 World Cup?” “Our medical team worked tirelessly to ensure he is fully fit for the match,” Ramiz stated.

The PCB president informed players that they were the “most essential factors” for the board, which Ramiz stated was providing exceptional service to the players.

“No cricket board has done what we are doing for the players,” Ramiz stated. “The physicians’ panel is ours; we couldn’t isolate him like this.”

Ramiz was reiterating the PCB’s late-night statement, which appeared to be in response to Afridi’s remarks. The board stated that it was “responsible for organising medical care and rehabilitation” for all of its athletes who needed it.

According to the PCB, Shaheen is making “great progress in his rehabilitation in London” and will be fully recovered in time for the 2019 T20 World Cup in Australia.

“It goes without saying that the PCB has always been, and will continue to be, accountable for arranging medical care and rehabilitation for all of its players who require treatment,” the board stated in a statement.

The authorities at the rehabilitation centre in England will allow Shaheen to begin bowling at the beginning of next month, and he will join the squad without getting to play a match in almost three months, as he will not be part of Pakistan’s tri-series in New Zealand, which also includes Bangladesh, ahead of the World Cup.

Meanwhile, the PCB said that batter Fakhar Zaman will travel to London on Friday for rehabilitation.

According to the press statement, Fakhar “landed awkwardly on his right knee while fielding during the T20 Asia Cup final in Dubai.”

“The PCB has booked his medical visits with specialists who will provide the finest medical treatment for his recovery, in accordance with the procedures.”

“During Fakhar’s stay in London, the PCB will make the appropriate logistical preparations for him, and he will remain under the supervision of the PCB Advisory Panel, which comprises Dr Imtiaz Ahmad and Dr Zafar Iqbal, and is also treating Shaheen Shah Afridi.”