Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Moin Khan has raised concerns and strong criticism regarding the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) medical panel’s management of pacer Naseem Shah’s injury. This article details Naseem Shah’s unfortunate injury, the consequences for Pakistan’s World Cup 2023 campaign, and Moin Khan’s stern words against the PCB’s medical team.
Pakistan faced a significant setback in the lead-up to the ODI World Cup 2023 when one of their key bowlers, Naseem Shah, sustained a severe injury to his bowling shoulder during the Super 4 game against India in the Asia Cup 2023. This injury forced him to leave the field due to intense pain.
As a result of his injury, Naseem Shah was ruled out of the Asia Cup and the upcoming World Cup. This injury significantly impacted Pakistan’s chances in the Asia Cup, where they faced a defeat against Sri Lanka and were eliminated from the tournament.
To compensate for Naseem Shah’s absence from the World Cup squad, the PCB included Hasan Ali. Hasan Ali, an experienced bowler, was called upon to fill the void left by the injured pacer.
Moin Khan, a former Pakistan captain, expressed his disappointment and concern over handling Naseem Shah’s injury by the PCB’s medical team and physiotherapist. He accused them of negligence, emphasizing that Naseem had been complaining about his injury for several months.
According to Moin Khan, the medical panel did not take Naseem Shah’s injury seriously, which led to disastrous consequences for the team. He stressed that when a player reports an injury, it should be treated with utmost seriousness to prevent further damage.
“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 not to get dropped, but when he tells you about his injury, you must take it very seriously. The medical panel didn’t take it seriously. This was a recipe for disaster,” Moin Khan said.
Moin Khan called upon the PCB officials to hold the medical panel accountable for their actions, highlighting Pakistan’s significant loss due to Naseem Shah’s absence, especially when he was in excellent form and delivering outstanding performances.
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Despite the disappointment over Naseem Shah’s absence, Moin Khan expressed hope in Hasan Ali’s ability to step up as a suitable replacement. Hasan Ali’s experience and familiarity with similar circumstances were cited as factors that justified his selection.
“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.
Moin Khan stressed the importance of the medical panel’s role in player selection, highlighting the need for feedback to captains on managing player workloads. He emphasized that a rigid approach to team composition throughout the year is not viable.
“The feedback of the medical panel in the selection is essential. Particularly to the captain 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, and you cannot do that. It’s difficult,” he added.
