Ihsanullah denies father's claims about poor rehab facilities in Swat

Pakistan pacer Ihsanullah has addressed concerns regarding his rehabilitation process in Swat, affirming that his recovery from an elbow injury is progressing well despite recent claims to the contrary.

The 21-year-old fast bowler, who is undergoing rehab in his hometown of Swat, recently responded to an urgent appeal made by his father, Abdul Nasir. 

Nasir had publicly requested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to transfer Ihsanullah’s rehabilitation to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, citing inadequate treatment facilities in Swat.

"My son is not receiving adequate care in Swat due to the lack of facilities and qualified doctors. It is crucial for his rehabilitation that he be transferred to the National Cricket Academy (NCA), where he can receive the necessary treatment to save his career. I request that he be moved to Lahore to complete his treatment and resume playing," Nasir said.

Supporting this appeal, Malik Nasir, Ihsanullah's coach in Lahore, emphasized the risks to the young pacer’s career. 

"Like other injured players, Ihsanullah should be rehabilitated at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The PCB has provided excellent accommodation for injured players in a local hotel, but as the fastest bowler in Pakistan, Ihsanullah’s career is currently at stake. The PCB is requested to take necessary actions to safeguard Ihsanullah’s career and ensure he receives the best possible care and rehabilitation," Malik said.

However, in a recent statement, Ihsanullah rejected these concerns, reassuring his fans and the cricketing community that his recovery in Swat is on the right track. 

"My rehab in Swat is going well, and I am confident of making a comeback soon. The bend in my elbow and the angle of my straight arm are improving significantly. However, a report surfaced in the media claiming that my rehab isn't going well. I urge the PCB to allow me to continue my rehab in Swat, as the recovery here is on the right track," Ihsanullah said.

In December 2023, the right-arm pacer shared insights with Cricket Pakistan in an interview, detailing the origin of his injury and recounting the unfortunate incident that occurred during the home series against New Zealand.

“The issue I faced, occurred during the New Zealand home series, and it happened during Ramadan. On the first day, everything went well; there was no pain in my shoulder. However, on the second day, I fell, and I didn't realize it at the time. Later, when I went to the nets for bowling, I felt pain in my elbow after putting extra force on the first ball. I played the series despite the pain. I wasn't sure what was happening, and I thought if it's a ligament issue, it can be treated. I was trying to play despite slight discomfort because the Afghanistan series was coming up, followed by the Asia Cup, and I wanted to be fit for those,” he revealed.