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Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Ramiz Raja has finally opened up on the controversy caused by fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi about his medical treatment and rehabilitation in London. He answered the concerns during an interactive session with fans organized by PCB on Friday.
Raja shunned away the controversies on social media regarding the treatment of Shaheen Shah Afridi in London. The Pakistan player expressed Shaheen is an asset to the Pakistan Cricket Board. He further addressed that the board will never even think of disowning him. PCB is taking every step to harness the skills of even potential players.
“How can anyone believe that Shaheen Shah Afridi’s parent body [the PCB] may disown him?” said Ramiz Raja while responding to a fan question on social media on Friday. “This is impossible. It is beyond comprehension that the PCB would leave him on his own to deal with this. This is unfortunate that the uncalled-for controversy has been stoked”, he said.
The controversy started when Shahid Afridi revealed that Shaheen Afridi had spent his own money to reach London for his injury rehabilitation and accommodation. Similarly, he had to arrange for the doctor and alleged that the Pakistan Cricket Board haven’t done anything. Speaking to Samaa TV Shahid said, “When I talk about Shaheen.. that guy went to England on his own. He bought his own ticket, he spent his own money to stay in a hotel,” said Shahid.
“I arranged a doctor for him, then he contacted the doctor. PCB is not doing anything, he was doing that on his own. Everything, from coordination to doctors to his hotel room and food expenses, he is paying out of his own pocket. As far as I know, Zakir Khan (Director of Cricket for international tours at the PCB) talked to him for 1-2 times, but that was it", Afridi added.
Shaheen Shah last played in Pakistan jersey in July 2022 against Sri Lanka in the first Test at Galle. He also missed the Asia Cup, where Pakistan lost in the final to Sri Lanka last week.