Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Moin Khan has slammed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) medical panel for not handling pacer Naseem Shah’s injury well.
Pakistan have suffered a huge injury blow ahead of the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 as they will be participating in the event without Naseem Shah, one of their main bowlers. The fast-bowler sustained the injury in his bowling shoulder while bowling his final over against India in the Super 4 game of the Asia Cup 2023 earlier this month.
He walked off the field straightaway after experiencing pain and was subsequently ruled out of the tournament. In his absence, Pakistan suffered a defeat against Sri Lanka and crashed out of the Asia Cup. He was subsequently ruled out of the World Cup too and has been replaced by Hasan Ali in the squad.
Moin Khan on Naseem Shah’s injury:
Naseem Shah’s absence will definitely be a big blow for Pakistan’s World Cup hopes and Moin Khan is not at all pleased with the way PCB’s medical team handled the pacer’s injury. Speaking to Cricket Pakistan, Moin Khan said that the injury is a result of negligence on the part of the team’s medical panel and physiotherapist.
“Naseem’s injury is a disaster for Pakistan’s team medical panel and physiotherapist. Because he has been constantly complaining that he is having problems for three to four months yet they were continuously playing with him.
“A player would always wish to not get dropped but when he is telling you about his injury, you have to take it very seriously. The medical panel didn’t take it seriously. This was a recipe for disaster,” Moin Khan said.
Speaking further, the former Pakistan captain urged the PCB officials to hold the medical panel accountable for the negligence. He expressed his disappointment over Naseem Shah’s absence but is hopeful that Hasan Ali will be a good replacement.
“The authorities in PCB should task them [medical panel] because we suffered a great loss ahead of World Cup when Naseem was in form and was bowling extraordinarily. And which is why now we have to take Hassan Ali. Hassan Ali is an experienced bowler, who has been through similar circumstances. From that point of view, this decision is suitable and Hassan Ali’s selection is justified,” he said.
“The feedback of the medical panel in the selection is essential. Particularly to the captain that how you have to manage a player’s workload. All of your players are talented. This shouldn’t be the approach that you will spend the rest of the year with the same combination, you cannot do that, it’s difficult,” he added.
The World Cup is scheduled to be played from October 5. Pakistan will begin their campaign on October 6 against the Netherlands in Hyderabad.
