The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is concerned over the protracted recovery of young fast bowler Ihsanullah from an elbow injury that has been lingering for a year. A reliable PCB source told PTI that senior officials are frustrated with Ihsanullah’s recent behaviour, especially after he contradicted a statement made by his father. Ihsanullah’s father visited Lahore a few weeks ago to meet PCB officials and requested that his son continue his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) rather than in his hometown of Swat. He told the media that Ihsanullah too preferred to continue his rehabilitation at the NCA.

However, the next day, 21-year-old Ihsanullah tweeted that he was happy with continuing his rehabilitation in the Swat area and saw no need to travel to Lahore, directly contradicting his father’s statement.

“Board members are concerned about the seriousness and hard work Ihsan is putting into his rehabilitation program, which was designed for him by experts after he was sent to the UK for an appointment with a specialist,” the source said.

He added that the recommendation for Ihsanullah to continue his rehabilitation in Swat Valley under the supervision of an assigned coach was made by an independent medical panel appointed by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

“But with fitness tests taking place ahead of the domestic Champions Cup tournament, concerns are growing as to whether Ihsanullah himself is taking his rehabilitation process seriously,” the source said.

Ihsanullah emerged as a promising talent for Pakistan during the Pakistan Super League last year and was quickly integrated into the national team for T20 and ODI matches before sustaining his elbow injury.

The handling of Ihsanullah’s injury also led to the resignation of the chairman of the PCB’s medical panel, Dr Sohail Saleem, after an independent panel was set up to review the diagnosis and recommended treatment for the fast bowler.

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