PCB to probe board's handling of Ihsanullah's injury

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to investigate the board's handling of pacer Ishanullah's elbow injury.

"The PCB has decided to constitute an independent medical board to analyse if Ihsanullah’s medical case was handled properly by the board's medical support team," PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said in a statement issued on his official X account.

The medical board comprising Dr Javed Akram, Dr Rana Dilawaiz and Dr Mumraiz Naqshband will also recommend the future course of action for the pacer's proper medical treatment, the statement added.

The PCB chief's remarks come days after the board confirmed that Ishanullah had left for UK to meet renowned orthopaedic surgeon Professor Adam Watts — who specialises in sports injuries including shoulder and elbow procedures — with regards to regarding his elbow injury.

The 21-year-old, who made his one-day international debut against New Zealand in April 2023, has been out of action for quite some time after undergoing surgery last year.

However, it seems the pacer is still facing issues with his elbow and will once again get surgery in England. The PCB, sources added, has made all the necessary arrangements for the pacer’s treatment and they will be supported by Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise Multan Sultans’ owner Ali Tareen.

There have been questions regarding the way the PCB has treated the pacer’s injury even after it was initially misdiagnosed, as reported by ESPNcricinfo earlier.

However, PCB's medical department head Dr Sohail Saleem confirmed that there was no mishandling in Ihsanullah’s case.

"There was no mishandling in this case," Dr Saleem told ESPNcricinfo.

"I'll admit there was a delay [in the initial diagnosis], but no mishandling," he added.